The incidence of PCA device-related errors was <0.2% and significantly differed according to the infusion pump type. A total of 63% of patients with PCA device-related errors suffered from adverse clinical outcomes, with no mortality. Recent technological advances may contribute to reducing the incidence and severity of PCA errors. Nonetheless, the results of this study can be used to improve patient safety and ensure quality care.

Background This study investigated the knowledge and attitude of surgical ward nurses toward patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) to develop educational material for nurses on the use of PCA. Methods This study was a cross-sectional study comprising 120 nurses from eight surgical wards in a tertiary hospital in South Korea. A questionnaire addressing 6 domains of knowledge of and attitudes towards PCA was conducted over 1 week and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Knowledge was measured on a categorical scale of 0 and 1 (20 points), and attitude was measured on a Likert scale of 1 to 4 points (60 points). Results The total score quantifying the knowledge of and attitudes toward PCA of surgical ward nurses was 59.5 ± 5.5 out of 80.0 points. The average age of the subjects was 28.58 ± 5.68 years old, and nurses above the age of 28 had significantly greater knowledge and better attitudes (61.7 ± 5.5) than those below the age of 28 (57.9 ± 4.9) (p < .001). Nurses working on the upper abdominal surgical ward had significantly greater knowledge (16.2 ± 1.9) than nurses working on other wards (thorax: 14.0 ± 2.3, lower abdominal: 15.4 ± 1.9, and musculoskeletal: 14.5 ± 2.2) (p = .001). Nurses who received education about PCA had significantly better attitudes (45.3 ± 4.6) than those who did not (41.3 ± 3.5) (p < .001). The average correct answer rate for knowledge of opioid analgesics was lower (68.2%) than that for knowledge of the basic configuration of PCA equipment (73.3%) and areas to be identified and managed when using PCA (84.6%), and there was a significant correlation with attitudes toward side effect management (p < .05, r = .19). Conclusions There was a significant correlation between the knowledge and attitude of nurses regarding opioid use in PCA. Older nurses with greater clinical experience on the surgical wards who had received PCA education had a better attitude toward PCA. Therefore, newly trained nurses on surgical wards with no experience of PCA education should undergo an intensive education program on opioid analgesics used in PCA.