Medical Device malfunctions

October 17, 2006 11:00 AM

Does anyone know much about IV Patient Controlled Analgesia pumps? Specifically regarding device errors?

I really hate wasting my one-question a week on this one, but my Google searches have turned up nothing. I am trying to come up to speed on IV PCA pumps. Looking for risks associated with the device. Specifically, have there been reports of guidewires breaking off? I am unfamiliar with the apparatus, so even a basic overview of how it works, and how a guidewire could potentially dislodge would be helpful.

posted by engling to health & fitness (6 comments total)

You might find something relevant on the FDA's website, specifically the subsection that deals with medical devices. For example, here's a recent recall notice for an infusion pump (not exactly the kind you ask about, as far as I can tell, but might help anyway).

Everything that gets reported to the FDA as an adverse medical event becomes part of the public record, so if there have been reports of problems with the type of pump you're researching, you should be able to find it in their database.
posted by slenderloris at 11:20 AM on October 17, 2006

It's a little unclear what the motivation is behind your question. I am a physician who frequently prescribes the inpatient use of PCAs. I have never come across any problems with them. I am not familiar with the technical workings of these pumps, and so do not know what you mean by a "guidewire". I do know, however, that the PCA is a good way of achieving pain control in patients requiring this level of pain management.

Are you asking as a patient, family member of a patient, reseller, other? Some more background might be helpful.
posted by cahlers at 12:30 PM on October 17, 2006

For information about use errors and PCA pumps, try searching for "human factors" and PCA pumps. Several human factors researchers have examined how poor design can lead to misprogramming and misuses of PCA pumps. Here are a few examples.
posted by ciocarlia at 6:29 PM on October 17, 2006

I deal with PCAs at work a lot, and human error is by far a larger factor than mechanical error. I still have no idea what you mean by "guidewire", though.
posted by makonan at 6:50 PM on October 17, 2006

Like many people who've posted above, my experience with using PCA as a nurse has been errors made through human error and never a mechanical failure (unless you count the battery going flat becuase someone forgot to plug it in).

Also like those postees above, the concept of "guidewire" and PCA just doesn't fit.

In summary, a safe and efficient way to deliver adequate pain relief, not to mention giving some control back to the patient.
posted by mule at 4:30 AM on October 18, 2006

Ok, then I am confused. I do alot of medical research for my job. Someone explained to me that a "guidewire", as part of the IVPCA broke off inside the pateint. This caused some additional unrelated heart problems (from this foreign body)...Does this sound crazy?
posted by engling at 5:50 AM on October 18, 2006