PCA BY proxy

[JHUBRAIN]

Hello all - I was wondering if any of you have heard of a policy covering PCA by proxy (meaning someone else, Nurse or family pushes button) - It seems to be a problem when well meaning staff or family think grandma is in pain and pushes the button then 10 mins later do the same and now grandma is getting Narcan. Now I have pushed the button for patients WHEN THEY ASK ME, but I have never just pushed the button without being asked - Has anyone heard of anything covering this or have thoughts on it - Thanks for any and all help - and GOD BLESS

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

I haven't worked with PCAs for years. Didn't press them for my pts, but when I was s/p csection..the nurse "angel pressed mine a few times...gosh I loved her!!

[Mystery5]

Dear Sarah,

Thanks for posting that. We addressed this at my hospital and were told that PCA meds were ONLY to be given BY THE PT! This avoids overmedication of an already sedated pt. The settings on the pump are to keep the pt from overdoing it. But, if a pt is asleep then that protects them from overdoing it too. If they need a continous dose, then the Doc will prescribe that. That's why you can program both a continuous dose and a PCA dose.

The PCA may be more convenient for us nurses, but it's primary purpose is to provide pt controlled self administration of pain meds for better pain control.