Common vascular access devices for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy

Vascular access device	Typical duration of use	Advantages	Disadvantages
Peripheral intravenous catheters	<7 days	Can be placed at the bedside without radiologic imaging	Short duration of use Not appropriate for administration of vesicant medications
Midline catheters	<2 to 4 weeks	Does not require chest radiograph prior to use (in contrast to PICCs)	May have a higher risk for thrombotic complications than PICCs Not appropriate for medications requiring central venous administration
Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs)	Weeks to months	Long duration of use May be used for administration of vesicant medications	Placement requires radiographic imaging or electrocardiogram technology May limit options for future dialysis access in patients with chronic kidney disease
Other central venous catheters (tunneled catheters, implanted ports)	Months to years	Long duration of use Provide central venous access Lower complication rate than PICCs	Placement and removal require surgical procedures

Graphic 132705 Version 1.0