Prescriber's
Guidelines -
(con't)
These guidelines were developed for the use by Stony Brook University
Hospital’s Acute Pain Service.
Troubleshooting PCA
Inadequate Analgesia
- Is the IV functioning?
- Is there a carrier fluid?
- What was the patient’s preadmission opiod usage (is there
tolerance)?
- Is something going on medically? Where is the pain? Is it more than
would be expected (i.e., compartment syndrome, etc)?
CHECH THE SURGICAL SITE!
- If none of the above, consider other methods (ketorolac, ice, etc)
and increase demand by 25-30%. Consider a continuous infusion.
Consider changing to hydromorphone if these measures fail.
