Comparison of Clinical Outcomes of Mini Midline Catheters With Different Placement Sites: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Peripheral venous catheters are the most commonly used vascular access devices in healthcare today, including indwelling needles, mini-midline catheters, and medium-length venous catheters. Peripheral venous catheters are required due to clinical needs for prescribed intravenous treatments, medications, surgical procedures, or diagnostics, such as computed tomography scans, etc. One study noted that more than 70% of hospitalized patients had indwelling needles placed. However, post-placement failure of indwelling needles occurs in 30%-50% of patients before completing treatment, unplanned catheter failure occurs in 69% of patients before completing treatment, and there is a 30%-60% risk of various complications. And patients are often subjected to repeat catheter placement, such as improper catheter placement or improperly entered medications. In addition, catheterization is prone to infectious and noninfectious complications, and the risk of phlebitis increases 4.4-fold when catheters are reintroduced.Tan et al. found that the average number of indwelling needle insertions per patient admission was 2.82, and therefore, approximately 44% of adult patients required more than one indwelling needle to complete IV therapy during their hospitalization. According to Helm et al, multiple insertions of indwelling needles per patient lead to unnecessary pain and anxiety, and multiple attempts per insertion further increase the risk of complications. These also lead to prolonged hospitalization, additional healthcare costs, pain, anxiety, and other adverse experiences.