A Novel Patient-controlled Analgesia Pump Allocator Improves Anesthesia Nurses’ Working Efficiency in Pump Allocation

Abstract

Abstract Background: The allocation of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps is a routine task for anesthesia nurses. This study investigated the impact of our previously developed PCA pump allocator on anesthesia nurses’ PCA pump allocation efficiency. Methods: Seven anesthesia nurses received standardized training in the operation of traditional manual allocation of PCA pumps and allocation using the PCA pump allocator. The allocation of 280 PCA pumps was randomly divided into two groups: thecontrol group and the test group (140 patients in each group). Traditional manual allocation of PCA pumps was performed for the control group, and allocation using the allocator was performed for the test group. The operation time, nurses’ satisfaction with pump allocation, and the cleanliness of the operating table after pump allocation were compared between the two groups. Results: Operation of a 100 ml PCA pump in the test group took 107.9±22.1 seconds, which was significantly shorter than in the control group (136.6±25.7 seconds; p<0.05). For a 250 ml PCA pump, the operation time in the test group was also significantly shorter than in the control group (214.0±34.7 seconds vs. 256.1±42.6 seconds; p<0.05). Further hierarchical analysis based on nurses’ seniority showed that allocation time using the allocator was significantly shorter for low-seniority anesthesia nurses (levels N1–N3) than manual allocation (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the operation time between the two allocation methods among senior (level N4) nurses (p>0.05). Most (86%, 6/7) anesthesia nurses expressed satisfaction with the allocation method using the allocator, and all nurses expressed a preference for choosing the allocation method using the allocator in their work. The bacterial culture results for the surface of the operating table were negative after the operation of both allocation methods. Conclusion： The novel PCA pump allocator can significantly improve anesthesia nurses’ efficiency in allocating PCA pumps and improve their satisfaction. The PCA pump allocator complies with aseptic principles.