It is known about this device that it is used to relieve pain after cesarean delivery, but its purpose is to relieve various pains that result from surgeries or other problems. Here are detailed information about this device

What is PCA for pain relief?

The PCA device is an acronym for patient controlled analgesia, i.e. patient pain relief and control. It is an autonomous device in the form of a digital pump containing a group of opioid analgesics, most notably: morphine, fentanyl, and hydromorphone, at the end of which is a syringe connected to the patient’s vein, and analgesics are prescribed. placed inside the pump by your doctor.

The PCA pump is set to deliver a small amount of pain medication continuously, or the doctor can recommend additional doses from that pump as needed by pressing the add button in which the additional dose is pre-selected.

PCA Components

The PCA format consists of the following:

• pump.
• Thin plastic tube.
• A syringe that is connected to a tube and vein.
• Extra dose button.

Features of PCA

• People who use a PCA pump often have better pain control and satisfaction than with pills and other medications that a doctor may prescribe.
• People who use a pump move more, which reduces their risk of developing blood clots after surgery, and they recover earlier.
• People who use the pump experience less anxiety and can relax, because of their pain control and pain medication.

PCA damage

Some of the common side effects of the medications used in the pain relief device include:

• upset stomach
• vomiting.
• nausea.
• drowsiness.
• Dry mouth.
• feeling itchy
• Inability to defecate (constipation).
• slow breathing

Less common side effects may include:

• muscle stiffness
• Increased sensitivity to pain.

Therefore, you should consult with your doctor about any side effects that concern you while using the pain relief device, as you may need to change your medication or dose to help stop these symptoms.

How to use the PCA device

The pump works best when the pain first starts before it gets worse. Your doctor or nurse will set up the PCA pump to either give you the dose of painkillers continuously or just at the push of a button. In rare cases it may be set up to do both, if you need more painkiller than you The PCA pump allows you to get it. Talk to your doctor, and this is how the pump works:

• Your doctor or nurse sets up the pump to release the correct dose of painkiller.
• The painkiller flows from the pump into the tube that goes into your vein.
• When you feel your pain, you press a button that you can hold in your hand.
• After pressing the button the pain medication is released from the pump.
• Your doctor or nurse will adjust the pump to make sure you do not take an overdose of your medication.

Who can use a PCA pump?

A self-relief device is often prescribed to patients who are recovering from various surgeries, not just a cesarean section. The list of people who can use the PCA device for pain relief includes the following:

• A PCA pump may be prescribed for people with other types of pain such as cancer pain and chronic pain problems.
• Children ages 4 to 6 can use PCA with the help of a parent or nurse.
• Many children as young as 6 years old can use a PCA pump on their own with a doctor’s prescription.

How often should a PCA pump be used?

The pump can be used when the patient is in pain, however patients should not press the button on the device if they are very sleepy, because the more alert and alert the patient is while taking analgesics, the more likely they are to have a shorter recovery period and to receive fewer types of analgesics for pain relief.

Once the acute pain from the surgery is under control, the patient will be switched to fewer pills and medications for pain relief.

PCA device price

The price of the pain relief device in Egypt ranges around 1000 Egyptian pounds, and the price may increase or decrease according to each hospital and the analgesics that are placed in it.

The price of the PCA device in Saudi Arabia ranges from 300 Saudi riyals, and the price can also increase according to the previous factors.