Blood transfusion via midlines?

Specialties Infusion

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Sorry to trouble people again, another question re midlines. Are there any special considerations when giving a blood transfusion via a midline?

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Specializes in ICU.

There are no special considerations for a midline and blood transfusion. The midline should be treated just like a PIV. Think of the midline as a longer peripheral IV.

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I beleive INS standards discourage use of midlines in any situation.

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Specializes in Clinical Infusion Educator.
I beleive INS standards discourage use of midlines in any situation.

INS discourages the use of midclavicular IV catheters.. Not midlines.

In years past, midclavicular IV catheters (ones that terminate in the subclavian vein, or midway below the clavicle) were placed in large numbers especially in homecare, however, thrombosis rates soared with catheter tips terminating in this area. Therefore, INS states that you either have a true Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter aka (PICC) or a midline which as the previous poster stated, should be viewed as a long peripheral IV.

DD

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i know of no contraindication of giving blood through a midline. Tip in the axilla. treated the same as a peripheral as far as infusions are concerned.

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.
Sorry to trouble people again, another question re midlines. Are there any special considerations when giving a blood transfusion via a midline?
Absolutely you may give any blood products through a midline. assess the line carefully before use including to assess the upper third in the arm that it is placed, most midlines are approx 20 cms long. Sometimes I trim them before insertion. Remember not all therapies can be given through a midline so it really has quite a few limitations. Anything with a ph less than 5 or greater than 9 should not be administered through a midline.

For example, never infuse TPN, Dilantin, Dopamine, Dobutamine etc. I rarely use them anymore for that reason. Most importantly, your insti

tution should have a list of acceptable list of meds and fluids that should never be infused through a midline. ASSESS ASSESS ASSESS and know how long the line has been in place. Phlebitis and infiltation and extravastion (if used in error) are the most common complications

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