Does anyone have a midline scale they use for the primary RN to complete to help them know when it might be appropriate to request a midline for their patient? Our organization is trying to make one. So if any one has a scale what does it include in respect to criteria? Does anyone know of any evidence based scales out there? I'm aware of MAGIC but it doesn't have a scale per say.
I have never seen a successful decision tree or "scale" and don't think one could be made to include all the parameters. Many have tried and they do not work. Teach your staff nurses when a short PIV is not the most appropriate device. Then this triggers a consultation from the infusion/VA staff who make the complete patient assessment and recommend the most appropriate device - patient factors, therapy factors, venue of care factors, and device factors - all must be assessed and staff nurses don't have the time, desire, interest to learn all that is required, IMHO. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Thank you Lynn that is my opinion also but I can't seem to get this message across to my co-workers.
I educate my staff that Midline catheters are "Long Dwell Peripheral IVs" suitable for any infusate that you would safely infuse through a short peripheral line. I recommend them for patients needing IV access for greater than 6 days (usually). Our facility also allows for blood draws throught the midline although our device is not reliable. I find that many staff and physicians have misconceptions about the midlines and what they are capable of. We only use a single lumen 8cm catheter here.