Vancomycin Administration Through a Novel Midline Catheter: Summary of a 5-Year, 1086-Patient Experience in an Urban Community Hospital

- The 5 year, 1,086 patient NYPQ hospital experience with midline administration of vancomycin attests to its safety and cost-effectiveness.
- Vancomycin can be administered I.V. with minimal phlebitis (0.6%) when given through an upper arm midline.
- The new Infusion Standards of Practice eliminated previous pH indications for central venous access: this study affirms those changes with regard to vancomycin administration.
- Vancomycin via a midline resulted in zero extravasations, zero DVTs and minimal (0.6%) phlebitis.
- PICCs and CVCs are not required for safe administration if intravenous vancomycin.

BackgroundThe 2016 Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice no longer require that low pH (<5) medications be administered via central venous access devices. Nevertheless, the practice of placing PICCs for vancomycin administration often persists.PurposeTo demonstrate the safety and efficacy of intravenous vancomycin administration through a short and long term midline catheter.MethodologyA retrospective chart review was performed on 1086 patients who received intravenous vancomycin through a midline catheter.ResultsThere were no catheter-associated bloodstream infections and no deep vein thromboses. Phlebitis occurred rarely (0.6%), as did benign infiltrations (1.2%). There were no extravasation injuries.ConclusionsThese outcomes summarize more than 5 years of experience administering intravenous vancomycin (4 mg/mL) safely and cost-efficiently through a nontrimmable midline catheter.