Patient-controlled analgesia with patient monitoring system and method

Abstract

A patient care system in which a physiological parameter of a patient is monitored while the patient self-administers analgesic. A display presents a trend of the patient's physiological parameter along with the time of self-administration of the analgesic (''PCA''-patient controlled analgesic) such that the effect of the analgesic on the physiological parameter can be seen over selectable time periods. The physiological parameter may be ETCO2 or SpO2 or other. Also included is a drug library having acceptable pumping parameters that is outside an acceptable range, or should the patient attempt to self-administer more analgesic than the acceptable range permits, or should a patient's physiological parameter change during infusion such that a pumping parameter becomes outside an accept able range, an indication of such will be given and action, such as stopping the pump, will be taken.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] [0001] This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 527,197, filed December 5, 2003. technical field [0003] [0002] The present invention relates generally to patient care systems and methods, and more particularly, to controlling the self-administration of analgesics to a patient while simultaneously monitoring one or more physiological parameters of the patient and providing Information pertaining to such monitoring, systems and methods to prevent central nervous system depression and respiratory depression associated with administration of analgesics. Background technique [0004] [0003] Programmable infusion systems are commonly used in the medical field to deliver a wide range of drugs and fluids to patients in a variety of settings. For example, syringe pumps, large volume pumps (referred to herein as LVP), and flow controllers are used in hospitals, clinics, and other c...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0013] [0012] Due to the disadvantages associated with existing PCA systems, some patients who may benefit from a PCA treatment approach may not be candidates for PCA because of concerns about respiratory depression

Even if the patient is eligible for PCA treatment with prior art systems, these systems do not allow the patient to receive more aggressive treatments because of the risk of adverse respiratory depression, so the patient does not get faster and more effective pain relief from the more aggressive treatments reduce

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