title: Patient-controlled analgesia.
abstract: This overview has addressed some of the key principles relating to patient-controlled analgesia. It is important to remember that PCA will continue to develop in the future and new techniques are being devised. PCA can provide an effective method of analgesia for many patients. However, it is not the only form of analgesia available, therefore a thorough assessment must be made before starting to use this analgesic technique.
authors.affiliation: St Thomas' Hospital, London.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tye
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gell-Walker
mesh_terms: D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018579:Patient Selection