title: Patient-controlled analgesic infusion pumps.
abstract: We evaluated 7 PCA infusion pumps from 7 manufacturers. The condition for acceptable use of 6 of the units is that they not be used at low volumes that could result in overinfusion from the stored volume when an occlusion is cleared. Our ratings and ranking are based primarily on safety, security, and overall ease of use. All pumps meet most accuracy, electrical safety, and performance criteria. Two of the pumps are suitable for ambulatory use but are not recommended for general hospital or home care bedside use. One of the pumps is totally disposable and nonelectronic. Purchasing decisions should also take into consideration the cost of disposables, application, and medication security.
mesh_terms: D004209:Disposable Equipment; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps / Q000592:standards*; D008283:Maintenance; D012646:Self Administration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical