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Using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for narcotics allows patients to self-administer their pain medication within predetermined limits. This method grants patients a sense of control over their pain management, which can lead to more effective pain relief. One of the notable benefits of this approach is that it can use less narcotic overall while achieving optimal pain control. Patients can titrate their doses according to their individual needs, often preventing the excessive use of narcotics that can occur with fixed-dose regimens. As a result, there's a potential for reduced medication consumption while still maintaining effective analgesia, which is particularly valuable in preventing the complications associated with higher doses of narcotics, such as respiratory depression.

Continuous monitoring is a critical aspect of any PCA regimen, but it does not directly stem from the PCA method itself; rather, it is a general practice in pain management. Minimizing side effects can occur with proper dosing, but this does not specifically highlight the advantages of PCA over other methods. Similarly, while PCA can improve pain management, it does not inherently reduce the need for surgical interventions. Thus, the use of PCA infusion can lead to a more efficient use of narcotics for pain control while empowering patients in managing their pain experience.