A comparison of patient-controlled analgesia and bolus PRN intravenous morphine in the intensive care environment.
We compared the use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) morphine and p.r.n. intravenous morphine in an intensive care unit setting. Thirty-eight patients scheduled for admission to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) were prospectively randomized to either a PCA group or a p.r.n. intravenous morphine group. Assessments included pain and sedation scores, respiratory rates, pulse oximetry, and morphine utilization. PCA was found to be comparable in safety and efficacy to nurse-administered morphine in the intensive care environment. An unexpected finding was the higher initial morphine utilization seen in the patients utilizing PCA.
Bedder
M D
MD
Pain Management Service, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland.
Soifer
B E
BE
Mulhall
J J
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*
D009020:Morphine