Midline vs Picc Lines

1062 Words5 Pages
As a new nurse, I recently had the pleasure of encountering my first patient with a midline. In the chart for this particular patient, another nurse had mistakenly charted that this patient had a PICC line in her left arm. Upon inspection of the "PICC line" in her arm, I discovered a very strange looking line. It was unlike any other PICC line that I had ever encountered. This "PICC line" was actually a Midline. Although PICC lines and midlines look similar from the outside, they are actually very different. Midlines are considered peripheral lines, whereas PICC lines are central lines. Midlines are not commonly used in favor of PICC lines because PICC lines have a similar cost while offering the availability of central access. However, Midlines offer a more cost effective alternative to a PICC line when extended IV access is needed, but central access is not required. Midlines provide a plethora of benefits such as decreasing the possibility of complications such infection and thrombosis with the patient while also providing health care providers with a safe and cost-effective measure to treat their patients. A Midline is a catheter that is from 3 to 8 inches in length. Upon insertion of a Midline catheter into a vein of the upper extremity; the tip of the Midline lies in the upper arm at or below the axillary vein level distal to the shoulder. A PICC line is placed in a vein antecubital area or upper arm. The PICC line is about 18 to 24 inches long with the tip extending into the superior vena cava. Midlines are used as a short-term intravenous (IV) for patient's requiring peripheral access for more than 5 days but less than 4 weeks. Only drugs and solutions that can be safely infused through any peripheral catheter should be infused through a midline catheter. PICC lines are indicated in patients requiring several weeks to 6 months of IV

More about Midline vs Picc Lines

Open Document