Stockton Hospitals Curb Unnecessary Antacid Use

Hospitals in the Stockton area are taking steps to reduce the unnecessary use of certain antacid drugs in an effort to lower patients' risk of contracting Clostridium difficile, a serious and sometimes deadly gastrointestinal infection. Several area hospitals are issuing fewer prescriptions for the drugs, known as proton pump inhibitors, as well as some antibiotics. The article was produced by the California HealthCare Foundation's Center for Health Reporting. The center is supported by a grant from CHCF, which publishes California Healthline.

• "Hospitals Look To Curb Antacid Use" (Schoch, Stockton Record, 10/16).