Authorized and Unauthorized ("PCA by Proxy") Dosing of Analgesic Infusion Pumps: position statement with clinical practice recommendations.

The American Society for Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN), in order to address sentinel alerts issued by JCAHO in 2004 and ISMP in 2005 concerning "PCA by Proxy", has developed a position statement and clinical practice recommendations on Authorized and Unauthorized (PCA by Proxy) Dosing of Analgesic Infusion Pumps, approved by the Board of Directors in June of 2006. In short, ASPMN does not support the use of "PCA by Proxy". ASPMN does, however, support the practice of Authorized Agent Controlled Analgesia in a variety of patient care settings when the agency has in place clear guidelines outlining the conditions under which this practice shall be implemented and outlining monitoring procedures that will insure safe use of the therapy. In addition to outlining this position, the paper clarifies and distinguishes between the unsafe practice of "PCA by Proxy", in which unauthorized individuals activate the dosing button of an analgesic infusion pump for a patient receiving Patient Controlled Analgesia, and the safe practice of Authorized Agent Controlled Analgesia (AACA). Furthermore, the paper examines the ethical and safety issues and outlines the necessary screening and patient/family education needed to implement AACA. The position statement describes criteria for the use of AACA, guidelines for selection and education of the authorized agent, key prescription and monitoring recommendations during therapy, and quality improvement activities to insure safety and effectiveness.