PCA pump settings + hourly-maximum guardrail
PCA pump settings math (ISMP/ASPMN safe-PCA): max demand doses/h = 60 / lockout, max hourly mg = demand x doses/h + basal, demand volume per dose at the concentration.
Open the calculator → Runs in your browser. Data leaves only if you deliberately send a problem report from the interactive tool.
Example
- Concentration
- 1 mg/mL
- Demand (bolus) dose
- 1 mg
- Lockout interval
- 10 min
Result: Lockout 10 min -> 6 demand doses/h; max 6 mg/h delivered (1 mL per dose).
The tool opens with these values already filled in. Replace them with your own.
What you enter
- Concentration
- Demand (bolus) dose
- Lockout interval
- Continuous (basal) rate
- 1-hour limit
How this is calculated
ISMP safe-PCA guidance; ASPMN position on authorized agent-controlled analgesia (no PCA-by-proxy). Max demand doses/h = 60 / lockout; max hourly = demand x doses/h + basal.
A reference and educational tool. Not medical, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for clinician judgment.