Both urinary catheters and ulcer drugs are over-used in hospitals. And both increase the risk of infection.

The risks of urinary catheters.

The longer a catheter is in place, the more bacteria can grow. This can cause a urinary tract infection, or UTI.

The risks of ulcer drugs.

Many hospital patients are given drugs to help prevent ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. The two drugs are:

• Proton-pump inhibitors such as omeprazole (Losec) and pantoprazole (Tecta).
• Histamine H2 receptor antagonists such as ranitidine (Zantac) and famotidine (Pepcid).

However, too many patients are given these drugs— nearly three in four. And many are wrongly sent home with prescriptions for the drugs. The drugs kill off healthy bacteria in the gut. People taking these drugs are twice as likely to get a harmful infection such as C. diff diarrhea or pneumonia.

Ask about safer options.

Ask the nurses and physicians if a catheter in place is still needed. If you or your loved one has been started on acid-suppressing medication, ask if the patient has a high risk for developing a stress ulcer.

Other ways to stay safe in the hospital

• Check on your hospital. 200,000 Canadians get an infection in the hospital. You can check on hospitals in Ontario at hqontario.ca
• Bring help. Ask a friend or family member to spend a lot of time with you in the hospital. They can help you ask questions, take notes about answers and keep a watchful eye.
• Insist on clean hands. This is probably the most important step hospital staff can take to prevent infections. Studies suggest that many doctors and nurses overlook it. If you haven't seen staff wash their hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, ask them to do so. Visitors should also do this.
• Ask if your surgery site needs to be shaved. Infections can start in the small cuts.
• Speak up. If you are not sure why something is happening to you or your loved one, ask about it. If you feel uncomfortable or something seems wrong, speak up. When it comes to hospital care, there are no bad questions.

Conditions: Hospital Infections, Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Bladder Infection, Bacteriuria, Gastric Ulcer, Peptic Ulcer, GI Bleed, UGI Bleed, Gastic Gastritis

Procedures: Urinary Catheter, Foley Catheter, Indwelling Urinary Catheter

Treatments: Acid Suppression Therapy, Proton-Pump Inhibitors (PPI), Omeprazole, Losec, Pantoprazole, Tecta, Histamine H2 Receptor Antagonists, Ranitidine, Zantac, Famotidine, Pepcid