Comparison Between Mini-midline and the Peripheral Intravenous Catheter

Comparison Between the Long (Mini-midline) and the Short Catheter (Peripheral Intravenous Catheter) in the Reduction of Venipunctures During Hospital Stay: a Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate the difference between LPC (mini-midline) and PIVC (peripheral venous catheter) on the need of further venipuncture for blood withdrawal or placement of a new vascular access.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Whether the number of patients with LPC and PIVC differ in terms of repeated venipunctures;
• Whether the number of patients with LPC and PIVC differ in terms of adverse events associated with the use of such vascular catheters.

Researchers will compare the proportion of patients with repeated venipunctures between LPC and PIVC arms.

A standard peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) or a mini-midline (LPC) will be placed according to routine clinical indications (i.e., for blood withdrawal and IV drug therapy) in patients seeking care at the Emergency Department. On admission at the Emergency Department triage desk, patients will be assigned a triage code according to clinical assessment by the triage nurse and will be evaluated as to the probability of being eventually admitted to hospital. Following enrollment, patients will be randomly assigned to receive LPC or PIVC. The follow-up period begins after catheter placement and continues through transfer to a hospital ward. During this period of catheter management, the insertion site and dressing will be monitored.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18 years
• High probability of hospital admission
• Sufficient venous patrimony according to EA-DIVA scale score

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients already having a venous access in place
• Patients requiring life-saving treatments
• Patients seeking ambulatory care
• Patients unable to express informed consent