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Midline Placements
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all treatment plans require IV access that is centrally
paced in the Superior Vena Cava (SVC). Catheters can
be inserted at the mid-clavicular line and offer benefits
of antibiotic treatment to facilities that cannot accommodate
inserting central PICC lines.
Using our expert and sterile
technique, midlines are also inserted using ultrasound
technology to visualize the larger vessels in the upper
arm. However, since the catheter tip is of a much shorter
length, a follow-up chest x-ray is not required to confirm
ideal placement. This can be especially vital to any
healthcare facilities or agency which lacks in-house
radiology providers or if there are concerns regarding
insurance coverage for outside and "delivered" x-rays
services.
It is the length of the catheter that
is the only difference. The inserting nurse is a specialist.
Sterile technique is strictly followed. The equipment
remains standard, as is our practice, and includes state
of the art ultrasound technology and use of single to
multi-lumened PICC line catheters.
Midline catheters are ideal for antibiotic
treatment, IV fluids, blood products, or difficult IV
access. They can be used for a longer period of time
than conventional peripheral lines but a shorter duration
that a PICC line lasting for approximately four weeks
only. They are not suitable, however, for caustic infusions
such as TPN or chemotherapy.
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