CMS is considering a proposed quality measure that would require “appropriate monitoring of patients receiving [patient-controlled analgesia].” This measure seeks to address the high number of errors ...

More than 10 years ago, the Institute of Medicine in its landmark report, “To Err is Human,” pointed out that at least 44,000 people, and perhaps as many as 98,000 people, die in hospitals each year ...

When a patient complains about severe levels of pain, he or she may be told to "just push the button" to obtain pain relief. Although the patient has control of PCA, that does not free the nurse from ...

Four health experts recently discussed The Joint Commission’s sentinel event alert on safe use of opioids. The experts included Frank Overdyk, MD, professor of anesthesiology at Hofstra North ...