Using Video to Describe the Patient-Controlled Analgesia Pump Programming Process: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps are complex medical devices frequently used for postoperative pain control. Differences in how nurses program PCA pumps can lead to preventable medication errors.

Purpose: To describe similarities and differences in how surgical nurses program PCA pumps.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using video reflexive ethnography (VRE) to film nurses as they programmed a PCA pump. We spliced and collated videos into separate clips and showed to nursing leaders for their deliberation and action.

Results: We found nurses ignored or immediately silenced alarms, were uncertain about the correct programming sequence, and interpreted how to load a syringe in the pump in multiple ways; in addition, the PCA pump design did not align with nurses' workflow.

Conclusions: VRE was effective in visualizing common challenges nurses experienced during PCA pump programming. Nursing leaders are planning several nursing process changes due to these findings.