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, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
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.