A simple reminder system can prevent hospitalized patients from having a urinary catheter in place any longer than is necessary, greatly reducing the risk of urinary tract infections. Urinary catheters are a major contributor to hospital acquired urinary tract infections, in part because busy health care providers forget to take the catheters out. A University of Michigan Health System study finds that written reminders (or computerized reminders, where feasible) can successfully flag the issue, thereby shortening the duration of catheter use, and reducing the risk of costly infections.