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Survey of stress ulcer prophylaxis

Brian L Erstad1, Jeffrey F Barletta2, Judith Jacobi3, Aaron D Killian4, Katherine M Kramer5 and Steven J Martin6

1Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy,University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA

2Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA

3Methodist Hospital, Clarian Health Partners, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

4Department of Pharmacy Practice, Texas Tech University HealthSciences Center, School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, Texas, USA

5Critical Care, University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy,Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

6The University of Toledo, College of Pharmacy, Toledo, Ohio, USA

Critical Care 1999, 3:145-149doi:10.1186/cc368

Published: 20 October 1999

Abstract

Background

No surveys of stress ulcer prophylaxis prescribing in the USA havebeen conducted since 1995. Since that time, the most comprehensive meta-analysisand largest randomized study to date concerning stress ulcer prophylaxis havebeen published.

Results

Three hundred sixty-eight surveys were sent to all members of theSection of Pharmacy and Pharmacology of the Society of Critical Care Medicine.One hundred fifty-three (42%) surveys were returned. Representatives from 86%of institutions stated that medications for stress ulcer prophylaxis are usedin a majority (>90%) of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).Twenty-two per cent of institutions have recommendations for both ICU andnon-ICU settings. Fifty-eight per cent of institutions stated that there wasone preferred medication for stress ulcer prophylaxis, and in 77% of thesehistamine-2-antagonists were the most popular.

Conclusions

There are wide variations in prescribing practices for stressulcer prophylaxis. Institutions should consult published literature and usepre-existing guidelines as templates for developing their own guidelines.


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