The insertion of a sterile guidewire through an existing vascular catheter that needs to be replaced. The catheter can then be removed over the guidewire and the new sterile catheter can be inserted over the guidewire, causing less tissue and vascular trauma. This cannot be done if the original catheter is implicated in a tissue or bloodstream infection. Guidewire exchanges must be performed under maximum sterile precautions with a full body drape coverage, as in the initial insertion.

Detergent that also is EPA-registered as a disinfectant.

Bacteria such as Staphylococci, Streptococcus, Clostridia and Bacillus species.

Similar to gram-negative bacteria, but they do not contain an outer membrane. Staphylococcus is one example. Gram-positive bacteria appear dark purple when they are Gram-stained.

Gram-negative bacteria are a type of bacteria that includes many pathogenic types, such as Pseudomonas and Escherichia coli (E-coli). They differ from gram-positive bacteria in that they contain an outer membrane in addition to a cell wall. Gram-negative bacteria appear bright pink to red when they are Gram-stained.

A widely used method for classifying bacteria that was invented in 1884 by Danish physician, Christian Gram. First, violet dye and iodine is used, followed by alcohol and a counter stain. As a result, either a gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria emerge.

The Gram stain, named after Danish bacteriologist Christian Gram who developed the technique, is a method of dividing 99% of bacteria into two distinct categories. When bacteria are stained with certain basic dyes (e.g. crystal violet) the cells of some species can easily be decolorized with solvents such as ethanol or acetone and are counter stained pink. These are labeled Gram-negative bacteria. Cells that resist decolorization remain purple and are called Gram-positive. The ability to retain or lose the stain generally reflects fundamental structural differences in the cell wall. As the cell wall is one of the prime targets for antimicrobial activity, many antimicrobials will be much more effective in one category than the other. (e.g., penicillin better with Gram positives.)

A layer of adhesive carbohydrates that covers the plasma membrane of a eukaryotic cell to strengthen the cells surface and aid in cellular attachment. Colonization on a foreign substrate-like catheter facilitates morphing of the glycocalyx into a more robust biofilm community.

The opening between the two vocal cords and the intervening space, the rima glottides. A leaf-shaped lid of fibrocartilage (the epiglottis) protects this opening. SEE larynx.

Gastro-Jejunal