Midline Catheter
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.
What do I need to know about midline catheters?
A midline catheter is a small tube used to give treatments and to take blood samples. The catheter is inserted into a vein in your arm. The end of a midline, inside your body, does not go past the top of your armpit. A midline catheter can stay in place for up to 30 days.
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How is a midline catheter placed?
- You will get local anesthesia to numb the area. The catheter will be put into a vein. It will be guided up until the tip is in a vein near your armpit. The other end of the catheter will stay outside your body.
- The catheter will be secured to your skin with a dressing. The dressing holds it in place, keeps it clean, and helps prevent infection. The dressing will be clear so you can check the insertion site for signs of infection.
- Healthcare providers will watch for problems during the midline catheter placement. You could have bleeding when the catheter is inserted. An infection could develop at the insertion site. An infection that enters your bloodstream can cause serious illness.
What will healthcare providers teach me about my midline catheter?
- Supplies you need to keep on hand to use, care for, and flush the catheter
- How to use the catheter, and when to keep it clamped
- How and when to flush and care for the catheter
- Problems that may develop, such as a hole in the catheter, and what to do to fix the problems
- How to bathe and do your daily activities with a midline catheter in place
- How to prevent infections
- Signs and symptoms of an infection to watch for and what to do if an infection develops
What can I do to prevent an infection?
The area around your catheter may get infected, or you may get an infection in your bloodstream. A bloodstream infection is called a catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). A CRBSI is caused by bacteria getting into your bloodstream through your catheter. This can lead to severe illness. The following are ways you can help prevent an infection:
- Wash your hands often. Use soap or an alcohol-based hand rub. Clean your hands before and after you touch the catheter or the catheter site. Remind anyone who cares for your catheter to wash their hands.
- Limit contact with the catheter. Do not touch or handle your catheter unless you need to care for it. Do not pull, push on, or move the catheter when you clean your skin or change the dressing. Wear clean medical gloves when you touch your catheter or change dressings.
- Clean your skin as directed. Clean the skin around your catheter every day and just before you change your dressing. Ask your healthcare provider what to use to clean your skin. Check your skin every day for signs of infection, such as pain, redness, swelling, and oozing. Contact your healthcare provider if you see these signs.
- Change the dressing as directed. Keep a sterile dressing over the catheter site. Change the dressing as directed or when it is loose, wet, dirty, or falls off. Clean the skin under the dressing with the solution your healthcare provider suggests. Let the area dry before you put on the new dressing. Do not blow on your skin to help it dry.
- Keep the area dry. Wrap your arm with plastic and seal it with medical tape before you bathe. Take showers instead of baths. Do not swim or soak in a hot tub.
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Further information
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