Dr. Viscusi answers the question: 'What Is Patient-Controlled Pain Relief?'
How Does Patient-Controlled Pain Relief Work?
Question: How Does Patient-Controlled Pain Relief Work?
Answer: Patient controlled analgesia, or PCA as we refer to it, is a technique that allows the patient to actively participate in their pain control. It usually involves an external pump that's programmed to deliver precisely metered doses.
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It's important to understand that the concept of PCA is not to provide complete pain control, but rather to allow the patient to balance the level of their pain relief to the side effect of the medications and achieve a moderate degree of comfort.
Next: What Is An Epidural And When Should I Get One For Pain Relief After Surgery?
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