Single Lumen Midline Catheter vs Ultrasound Guided Peripheral IV as Performed by Bedside Emergency Department Registered Nurses

Summary

Obtaining intravenous (IV) access is one of the most common procedures performed in the emergency department (ED). IV access is necessary for many aspects of patient care, including blood tests, administration of medications and intravenous fluids, and diagnostic imaging. However, some patients have difficult intravenous access (DIVA), making it challenging to successfully place an IV catheter. Difficulty obtaining IV access can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment, prolonged emergency department stays, multiple needle punctures, and increased patient discomfort.

Several specialized IV devices are available for patients with DIVA. Two commonly used ultrasound-guided devices are long peripheral intravenous catheters and single-lumen midline catheters. Both devices are inserted into veins using ultrasound guidance, but they differ in catheter length and expected duration of use. Long peripheral IV catheters are commonly used in emergency departments but may fail relatively quickly. Midline catheters may remain functional for longer periods and may reduce the need for additional IV insertions during a patient's hospital stay. However, these devices have traditionally been inserted by specialized clinicians, such as members of vascular access teams, rather than by bedside emergency department nurses, who perform most vascular access procedures in many emergency departments.

The purpose of this study is to compare ultrasound-guided single-lumen midline catheters with ultrasound-guided long peripheral IV catheters when both procedures are performed by specially trained bedside emergency department nurses. The study will evaluate whether midline catheters can be inserted as successfully and as safely as long peripheral IV catheters in adult emergency department patients with difficult intravenous access.

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either an ultrasound-guided single-lumen midline catheter or an ultrasound-guided long peripheral IV catheter. Researchers will compare the two devices by measuring procedural success, catheter-related complications, catheter dwell time, completion of care using the original device, and patient satisfaction.

The results of this study may help determine whether bedside emergency department nurses with training and experience in ultrasound-guided vascular access can successfully use single-lumen midline catheters in routine clinical practice. The study will also evaluate which vascular access device provides the best balance of safety, reliability, and patient experience for emergency department patients with difficult intravenous access. This information may help guide future recommendations for vascular access device selection in the emergency department.

Conditions

• Difficult Vein Access
• Emergency Department Patients
• Nurses Role
• Midline Catheter
• Ultrasound Assistance
• Difficult Intravenous Access
• Catheterization, Peripheral
• Catheterization
• Emergency Service, Hospital

Interventions

DEVICE

Ultrasound-Guided Single-Lumen Midline Catheter

A BD PowerGlide™ 10-cm single-lumen midline catheter (18G or 20G) will be inserted under ultrasound guidance using standard institutional procedures. The catheter may be placed in the cephalic, basilic, deep brachial, or forearm veins according to proceduralist judgment.

DEVICE

Ultrasound-Guided Long Peripheral Intravenous Catheter

A BD Insyte™ Autoguard 4.78-cm peripheral intravenous catheter (18G or 20G) will be inserted under ultrasound guidance using standard institutional procedures. The catheter may be placed in the cephalic, basilic, deep brachial, or forearm veins according to proceduralist judgment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Becton, Dickinson and Company

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• Albany Medical College

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-08-11

Primary Completion

2027-01-31

Completion

2027-03-31

FDA Device

Yes

Countries

• United States

Study Locations