Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) involves the following types of or devices or instruments allowing the patient to manage post-surgical pain (i.e., pain after surgery):
• Transdermal patches that transmit a prescription opiate (narcotic) analgesic (pain-relieving medication) through the skin upon the push of a button on the patch
• Instruments that inject a prescription opiate (narcotic) analgesic (pain-relieving medication) through a needle or catheter into a vein upon the push of a button on the machine
Settings for PCA include:
• At home
• At an outpatient section of a hospital or clinic
• In the hospital
|