Intravenous IV Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA)

Your physician may order a PCA machine to help you control your pain after surgery. “PCA” stands for Patient Controlled Analgesia. As the name implies, intravenous (IV) PCA enables you to control and manage your pain.

A PCA machine is a sophisticated, programmable, computer controlled pump that delivers precise amounts of pain medication (typically an opioid analgesic) directly into your IV line. The pump can deliver medication continuously or intermittently in response to your demand (i.e. pushing a button). A physician will prescribe the appropriate settings and your nurse will program the pump for your comfort with the dose of medication, the minimum time interval between doses, and the maximum doses allowed.

In most cases, the pump will be set up so that you will be able to push a button and give yourself pain medication. When you push the button, you will receive a dose of pain medication in your IV. The button will become inactive for a set period of time as prescribed by your doctor, after which time the pump will again deliver another dose in response to your demand.

For Example: Your orders may state that you pump is to be set so that you are able to take one dose of morphine every 10 minutes. This would mean that you could take a maximum of 6 doses in an hour. If you press the dose button more often . . . you will not receive more than 6 doses of medication in an hour.

IV PCA is an excellent way to provide analgesia. You are in control of your pain relief and do not have to wait for your nurse to provide your pain management.

IV PCA is used most often when patients cannot take oral pain medication. It is also used when doctors want to calculate your pain management in anticipation of transitioning to other pain medications.

IV PCA will be used only if your physicians believe this is appropriate for you. Please feel free to discuss any questions or concerns with your doctors. We remain committed to being your partner in health care.

• The nurse will check you often
• You will be asked to describe your pain intensity using a 10-point scale (0=no pain; 10=worst pain you can imagine).
• You may also be asked to describe your pain using words.
• You will be asked about your satisfaction with your pain control and how comfortable you are.

• Itching is rather common but tends to be mild. It is easily treated. Please tell your nurse.
• Nausea and vomiting is common as well. Medicine can be prescribed if you tell your nurse.
• Difficult urination may be the result of your surgery, other medicine, or the opioid pain medication. In some cases a catheter may need to be inserted to drain your urine.

Any form of pain management has a cost. The hospital charges for supplies and medicines. The Department of Anesthesiology participates with all insurance companies and accepts their payment as full payment for care given, including epidural pain control. One exception: If you have co-pay insurance, a part of the total bill will be sent to you.