Midclavicular tip positioning of midline catheters: a service improvement project.

Abstract

Peripheral and central venous catheters have been in use for many years. Recently, a new device tip position (midclavicular) has been recognised. This service improvement project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of placing a catheter in this position. The evaluation demonstrated that this is a satisfactory position for a catheter tip to reside as complications were minimal and devices lasted for the length of therapy for most patients. The midclavicular catheter allowed blood draws and avoided the need for many patients to have a peripherally inserted central catheter to do this.