Clinical inquiries. What GI stress ulcer prophylaxis should we provide hospitalized patients?

Consider a protocol to identify patients needing prophylaxis inthe ICU Many patients may enter the hospital already on a PPI for reflux disease or prevention of gastrointestinal side effects from other medications. This Clinical Inquiry shows that only certain patients in the hospital will benefit from prophylaxis for stress ulcers and have less bleeding. Therefore, consider using a protocol to identify those specific patients in the ICu and place them on an H2 blocker, PPI or sucralfate automatically.