Beware of PCAs (Patient Controlled Analgesics)

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Many hospitals and healthcare facilities offer Patient Controlled Analgesics (PCAs), which are ways for patients to administer and manage their own pain medication. Most of these patients are not aware of the dangers of narcotic overdose that may accompany PCAs.

One nurse reports that the information available to patients about PCAs is misleading and unreliable. Thomas A. Sharon, R.N., M.P.H. reports "public misinformation" on many Web sites regarding the use of PCAs. He points out that many sites do not offer enough information about the possible risks and side effects of using PCAs, which often are narcotics. These may include:

accidental overdose
machine malfunction
human error
nausea and vomiting
depressed respirations
reduced heart rate
lowered blood pressure
death