Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses
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Patient-controlled oral analgesia (PCOA) allows patients to self-administer oral opioids for pain management. Advantages of PCOA include improved pain control with lower doses of opioids, decreased length of stay, increased patient satisfaction, and better functional outcomes than conventional nurse-administered oral analgesia. Sucessful PCOA programs are well described in the literature. ⋯ These findings were consistent with literature discussing patients' outcomes regarding PCOA. However, after education and experience these concerns decreased or resolved. It is important to address these concerns before PCOA program implementation.