Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2025
A Protocol to Set Up Needle-Free Connector with Positive Displacement on Central Venous Catheter in Intensive Care Unit
Published on: July 13, 2019
Comparing the use of midline catheters versus peripherally inserted central catheters for patients requiring
Nicole Marsh1, Emily N Larsen1, Catherine O'Brien2
1Nursing and Midwifery Research Centre, Internal Medicine Services, Infectious Diseases, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Centre for Applied Health Economics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Patient Centred Health Services, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Alliance for Vascular Access, Teaching and Research, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
Background:
Midline catheter (MC) use has increased in acute-care settings, particularly for patients with difficult venous access or requiring peripherally compatible intravenous therapy for up-to 14 days. Our aim was to assess feasibility and generate clinical data comparing MCs with Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs).
Methods:
A two-arm parallel group pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT), comparing MCs with PICCs, was conducted in a large tertiary hospital in Queensland between September 2020 and January 2021. The primary outcome was study feasibility, measured against rates of eligibility (>75%), consent (>90%), attrition (<5%); protocol adherence (>90%) and missing data (<5%). The primary clinical outcome was all-cause device failure.
Results:
In total, 25 patients were recruited. The median patient age was 59-62 years; most patients were overweight/obese, with ≥2 co-morbidities.
Primary Outcomes:
The eligibility and protocol adherence criteria were not met; of 159 screened patients, only 25 (16%) were eligible, and three patients did not receive their allocated intervention post-randomisation (88% adherence). All-cause failure occurred in two patients allocated to MC (20%) and one PICC (8.3%).
Conclusions:
Our study found that a fully powered RCT testing MCs compared with PICCs is not currently feasible in our setting. We recommend a robust process evaluation before the introduction of MCs into clinical practice.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
01:25Peritoneal Dialysis II: Peritoneal Dialysis Systems and Complications
01:24Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization
01:26Cardiac Catheterization IV: Nursing Management
01:30Peritoneal Dialysis I: Introduction and Procedure
01:28Cardiac Catheterization I: Pre-Procedure Overview