From: Michele Durda
Sent: 14 February, 2019 04:03 PM
To: Pharmacists
Subject: Re: Guidelines for verifying opiate orders for patients with PCA orders

Attachment: medication alert patient on pca

Some nurses have let us know that they are concerned about the PRN opiate orders being active while the patient's PCA is still active. However, we came to the conclusion that this was our only option for handling these orders. Therefore, nursing decided to send out a tip sheet (see attached) to nurses so they know where to look for the comment. When you add the comment, please be sure that you put the **Do not give while on PCA** comment FIRST, before all other parts of the comment field. Otherwise, this comment will not show up for the nurse without hovering over the comments or opening a detail screen.

Thanks!

From: Michele Durda
To: Pharmacists
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2019 4:14:28 PM
Subject: Re: Guidelines for verifying opiate orders for patients with PCA orders

I have already received a question about an issue that needs clarification. PCA orders are likely to be entered while the patient is in PACU. This means that the PACU opiate orders (fentaNYL and DILAUDID) will still be active. Ignore these orders, the PACU nurse will discontinue these orders when the patient is discharged from PACU.

Thanks!

From: Michele Durda
Sent: 12 February, 2019 04:03 PM
To: Pharmacists
Subject: Guidelines for verifying opiate orders for patients with PCA orders
Attachment: Post PCA Orders

With the goal of reducing variation, we were asked to develop some recommendations for managing opiate orders for patients with PCA orders. A group of us developed the attached guidelines, please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Michele

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Michele Durda, Pharm.D.
Medication Safety/Drug Utilization Pharmacist