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Patient controlled analgesia by proxy.
The Joint Commission. Sentinel Event Alert. December 20, 2004;(33):1-2.
Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a recognized method of controlling pain when administered by credentialed practitioners. However, serious adverse events can result when unauthorized family members, caregivers, or clinicians administer the analgesia for the patient "by proxy." The Joint Commission summarizes the experience of reported PCA incidents and makes recommendations to minimize them.
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