Cost efficiency of PCA for acute pain therapy: do we need all these expensive pumps?

Abstract

Modern optimal pain therapy seems to include more and more the use of expensive devices. During the last 10 years PCA pumps have been acquired in many hospitals as an indispensible tool to achieve this goal. The advantages are an increased patient autonomy, better pain scores, less rescue medication and improved patient satisfaction. With regard to the IV route, two meta-analysis were able to show some benefits although less than expected. Differently there is no doubt that epidural analgesia is superior to intravenous therapy but the question arises again whether this should be achieved by expensive pumps. More cost-benefit studies are mandatory to determine whether the morecost is justified and as to whether continuous infusion pumps or bolus administration are equally expensive due to more manpower costs. Finally more studies should focus on hospital stay as these costs overwhelm any equipment related costs.

Key words: analgesia, PCA pumps, cost

Jurnalul Român de Anestezie Terapie intensivă 2002 Vol.9 Nr.1, 47-50

Cost efficiency of PCA for acute pain therapy: do we need all these expensive pumps?