PCA protocol

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

How do you handle a PCA pump when the patient leaves the floor for a procedure and the pump stays behind? Does it stay in the patient's room? Does it get emptied and then restart another syringe/tubing when patient returns? I can see where someone could have access to the medication if the pump remains in the room, even when locked. It is considered contaminated, so it cannot sit in the medication room (still would be liable for access). And the syringes are about $100 each so I hate to waste. How do you think it should be handled?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Why would the pump stay behind? We just cart it along and that way the patient has adequate pain control all the way through. If they are going for a procedure where they will be sedated or otherwise receive additional pain meds, then you can pause it or turn off the patient-controlled part.

[pricklypear]

The only reason I can think of for a pump to stay behind is if the pt goes to MRI. You need a key to turn our pumps on after they have been turned off, and the med cassette is locked onto the device, so nobody would be able to access it. Ours are small enough to be put into a locked drawer, if necessary. How would anybody be able to access it if it was locked?

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

there still could be some med in the line, even if the pump is locked. Anyway, it just seems unsanitary to let it dangle around, even covered, until the patient returns. The pumps get in the way during a procedure. Thanks for the input!

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

Large pumps are covered and placed in the med room until patient returns from procedure, if doctor does not reorder, then med is discarded and accounted for on MAR and pharmacy form.