COMPARISON OF THE EFFICACY OF INSERTING MIDLINE CATHETERS BY EXPERIENCED AND INEXPERIENCED NURSES: A RETROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this retrospective observational study was to compare peripheral venous cannulation performed under ultrasound guidance by expe-rienced and inexperienced nurses. Material and Methods: The observational study was retrospective. Analysis was done of eighty-seven charts of successful ultrasound-guided cannulations performed by experienced and inexperienced operators over a 5-month period. Results: In the experienced group, an average of 1.31 puncture attempts were performed (median=1), and in the inexperienced group that number was 1.42 (median=1). One attempt was enough for 76.6% (n=36) and 72.5% (n=29) of cannulations, respectively. Experienced nurses needed statistically signif i cantly less time to successfully puncture a vessel (p=0.003). Conclusions: Implementing the procedure of inserting midline catheters under ultrasound guidance should be based on properly conducted training and supervised clinical experience. Performing an adequate number of cannulations during training reduced the time required for the procedure and decreased the number of failures. Completing 20 to 50 cannulations during the course makes it possible to achieve a high success rate of vascular access insertion with a minimum number of attempts.