Ongoing evaluation of current practice and incorporation of evidence based research into guidelines and protocols is a requirement for the provision of high quality, cost efficient care. Despite some literature describing observational data, midline catheters (MCs) are not an appropriate vascular access device for Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients due to insufficient high level evidence demonstrating safety and efficacy. In addition, national guidelines for MC use in neonatal and infant patients lacks sufficient information for safe and effective use of MCs.
The results of this small, online survey indicate that while some neonatal nurses and Nurse Practitioners report the use of MC use in the NICU, there is a wide range of practice pertaining to MC unit-specific protocols, competencies, success with placement, and clinician agreement of appropriate use for this vascular access device (VAD). Multicenter, randomized control trials are needed to evaluate current MC practice in the NICU, and institutions must incorporates current, evidence based practice into policies, procedures, and guidelines
