Our hospital requires consent for the insertion of Midlines. I am trying to determine if this is a hospital policy or if there is an INS standard or reccomendation to get an informed consent from a patient for the insertion of a midline. Any help with reference would be appreciated.
Brad Dungan, RN, MSN, VA-BC
Hi Brad,
Is this Bryn Mawr Hospital in Pa.? Very nice hospital, my sister is a PA in the IR Dept. I'll try to answer your question with what we have done over the years. In Pa. I worked at HUP and a Midline was considered "like a peripheral" so no consent was needed. When I started the program at Kennedy Hospital in New Jersey, I followed the same trend and the floor nurses could order a Midline and no consent was needed. This did go through legal and that is what was decided. Just remember, once you open up the Midline gates the flood begins. Midlines are a great intermediate access and are extremely safe as long as they are used properly. They can be extremely dangerous lines if not used in a correct way and notoriusly they get abused. So tread lightly my friend.
I will say they are a great access though, and can be a wonderful benefit for the patients. Say Hello to my sister Joan for me
Jack Diemer, RN BSN VA-BC