Midline Catheter Placement for Hospitals and Skilled Nursing Facilities

What Is a Midline Catheter

A midline catheter is a longer peripheral IV that is inserted into a vein in the upper arm, with the tip positioned below the shoulder rather than near the heart. It provides more stable and reliable access than a standard IV while avoiding the need for central line placement.

Midlines are commonly used when patients require intravenous therapy for a longer duration but do not need a central catheter such as a PICC line.

When Midline Placement Is Appropriate

Midline catheters are typically recommended for patients who need:

• Extended IV therapy lasting several days to a few weeks
• Medications that are appropriate for peripheral administration
• Reliable access when standard IVs are failing or difficult to maintain

This option helps reduce the need for repeated IV insertions while maintaining safe and effective treatment delivery.

Bedside Placement with Clinical Precision

EPICC performs midline catheter placement at the patient’s bedside using advanced clinical techniques to ensure proper placement and function. Our approach focuses on selecting the most appropriate vein, maintaining sterile technique, and ensuring the catheter is placed securely and comfortably for the patient. This allows for improved reliability compared to standard IV access and reduces the likelihood of complications or early failure.

Supporting Reliable Vascular Access

Midline catheters are often used when peripheral IV access is not sufficient but central access is not required. This makes midlines an important option for patients with difficult venous access, patients requiring consistent IV therapy over multiple days, and situations where maintaining stable access is critical to treatment success. By choosing the appropriate vascular access device, healthcare teams can improve patient outcomes while reducing unnecessary interventions.

Mobile Service Delivered to Your Facility

EPICC provides midline placement directly within your facility, allowing care teams to avoid delays and maintain continuity of care. Bedside placement eliminates the need for patient transport and allows treatment plans to proceed without interruption.

What to Expect

• Dually signed service agreement in place.
• A request is made for midline catheter placement
• Scheduling is coordinated based on patient needs and therapy requirements
• A vascular access specialist arrives on-site
• Appropriate vein is selected and the midline catheter is placed at the bedside using ultrasound guidance
• Patency confirmed, catheter secured, and dressing applied for immediate use

Frequently Asked Questions About Midline Catheter Placement

What is the difference between a midline catheter and a PICC line?

A midline catheter is inserted into a vein in the upper arm but terminates below the shoulder, making it a peripheral access device. A PICC line is threaded further until the tip reaches a large vein near the heart, classifying it as a central venous catheter. Midlines are appropriate for medications compatible with peripheral veins over a 1–4 week period. PICC lines are used for vesicant medications, long-term therapy, or treatments requiring the dilution capacity of central blood flow.

How long can a midline catheter stay in place?

A midline catheter can typically remain in place for up to 4 weeks with proper care and maintenance, though some clinical guidelines allow for longer dwell times depending on patient condition and site assessment. Midlines provide a more stable option for patients requiring extended IV therapy without the complexity of a central line.

When should a facility choose a midline over a standard peripheral IV?

A midline catheter is the better choice when a patient needs IV therapy expected to last longer than 5–7 days, has veins that are difficult to access repeatedly, or requires a more reliable access site to avoid frequent restarts. Midlines reduce the number of IV insertion attempts, lower the risk of phlebitis from repeated peripheral access, and provide a more comfortable experience for patients undergoing extended treatment courses.

Is midline catheter placement safe to perform at a skilled nursing facility?

Yes. Bedside midline catheter placement by a certified vascular access specialist is safe and appropriate in skilled nursing facility settings. EPICC performs midline placements directly at long-term care facilities throughout Eastern Washington, eliminating the need for patient transport. The procedure uses aseptic technique and is completed at the bedside without requiring a sterile procedure room.

Midline Placement Service Areas

EPICC Vascular provides mobile midline catheter placement to healthcare facilities across Eastern Washington. Select your region to learn more:

• Midline Placement in Yakima, WA
• Midline Placement in Union Gap, WA
• Midline Placement in Ellensburg, WA
• Midline Placement in Prosser, WA
• Midline Placement in Toppenish, WA
• Midline Placement in the Tri-Cities, WA