title: Patient-controlled analgesia. Its South African debut in a provincial hospital.
abstract: Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a well-established technique for the relief of acute and chronic pain. It is widely used in Western hospitals. Patient and staff education is required to provide successful analgesia. This paper reports the successful introduction of PCA on a large scale in a provincial hospital. The considerable potential difficulties in communication and education appear to have been overcome. The widespread introduction of PCA in all our hospitals would appear to be feasible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Hillbrow Hospital, Johannesburg.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Upton
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Beeton
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Minkowitz
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Shipton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D009020:Morphine