Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is a PCA Pump?What Is PCA Used For?How Does a PCA System/Pump Work?Safety MonitoringPros and Cons of a PCA System
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is a PCA Pump?
What Is PCA Used For?
How Does a PCA System/Pump Work?
Safety Monitoring
Pros and Cons of a PCA System
Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a type of pain management system that allows patients to make their own decisions as to when they need to take a dose of pain medication. The medication is administered through a PCA pump and can be used to treat acute (sudden, severe), chronic (long-term), or postoperative (after surgery) pain. It can also be utilized in obstetrics for the management of labor pain.
When it comes to pain management, it is helpful to understand your options so you and your healthcare provider can make the best decision for your care.
Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images
PCA is a method of pain management that lets the patient decide when they need a dose of pain medicine. The pump is accessible 24/7 and the patient simply presses a button to administer a pre-set dosage of medication to alleviate pain. This system allows the patient to receive smaller doses of medication, more often (compared to traditional pain medication administration).There is a max dose programmed on the PCA pump as well to ensure there’s no risk of overdose or toxicity.
There are many scenarios in which a PCA pump is commonly used, including:
Who Should Not Use a PCA System?
A contraindication is a specific situation in which a drug or procedure should not be used because it could cause harm. There are some scenarios in which a PCA pump is contraindicated, these include:
Some situations are not strictly contraindicated, but they require closer observation and the discretion of the healthcare provider as to whether they should use a PCA, these people include:
The bolus can be given alone or combined with a continuous low dose of pain medication, depending on the healthcare provider’s order.
The type of drugs commonly given via the PCA pump include:
A PCA pump has a needle that is attached to an intravenous (IV) line. The needle is placed into a vein and a pump computer that’s configured to the IV. The computer is calibrated and set to deliver the exact amount of medication that your healthcare provider has ordered for you. The pre-calibrated pump allows the pain medication to be released when you press the handheld button.
Setting up the Patient-Controlled Anesthesia System
The steps involved in administering the PCA system include:
There are several safety measures necessary when a person has a PCA pump, such as:
Benefits of a PCA
There are many benefits of a PCA pump for pain, these include:
Risks of a PCA System
Although PCA is relatively safe and effective, as with any type of pain management regime, there are risks associated with PCA. These include side effects from opioid medication (a controlled drug that can be addictive and used for pain management) such as:
Special Precautions When Using a PCA
While everyone who uses a PCA system should be monitored closely for side effects—such as respiratory depression—some people require even closer observation when taking opioids. These demographics include:
A Word From Verywell
When it comes to pain management, it is helpful to understand your options so you and your healthcare provider can make the best decision for your care. Speak with your healthcare provider and healthcare team to determine if you’re a good candidate for a PCA system, which could improve your level of comfort.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Patient-controlled analgesia pumps.McNicol ED, Ferguson MC, Hudcova J.Patient controlled opioid analgesia versus non-patient controlled opioid analgesia for postoperative pain.Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group, ed. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003348.pub3Michigan Medicine. University Of Michigan.Pain management: Patient controlled analgesia (PCA) pump.Yi Y, Kang S, Hwang B.Drug overdose due to malfunction of a patient-controlled analgesia machine -A case report-.Korean J Anesthesiol. 2013;64(3):272. doi:10.4097/kjae.2013.64.3.272
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Patient-controlled analgesia pumps.McNicol ED, Ferguson MC, Hudcova J.Patient controlled opioid analgesia versus non-patient controlled opioid analgesia for postoperative pain.Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group, ed. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003348.pub3Michigan Medicine. University Of Michigan.Pain management: Patient controlled analgesia (PCA) pump.Yi Y, Kang S, Hwang B.Drug overdose due to malfunction of a patient-controlled analgesia machine -A case report-.Korean J Anesthesiol. 2013;64(3):272. doi:10.4097/kjae.2013.64.3.272
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Patient-controlled analgesia pumps.McNicol ED, Ferguson MC, Hudcova J.Patient controlled opioid analgesia versus non-patient controlled opioid analgesia for postoperative pain.Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group, ed. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003348.pub3Michigan Medicine. University Of Michigan.Pain management: Patient controlled analgesia (PCA) pump.Yi Y, Kang S, Hwang B.Drug overdose due to malfunction of a patient-controlled analgesia machine -A case report-.Korean J Anesthesiol. 2013;64(3):272. doi:10.4097/kjae.2013.64.3.272
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Patient-controlled analgesia pumps.
McNicol ED, Ferguson MC, Hudcova J.Patient controlled opioid analgesia versus non-patient controlled opioid analgesia for postoperative pain.Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group, ed. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003348.pub3
Michigan Medicine. University Of Michigan.Pain management: Patient controlled analgesia (PCA) pump.
Yi Y, Kang S, Hwang B.Drug overdose due to malfunction of a patient-controlled analgesia machine -A case report-.Korean J Anesthesiol. 2013;64(3):272. doi:10.4097/kjae.2013.64.3.272
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
