Survey of stress ulcer prophylaxis

Background:
No surveys of stress ulcer prophylaxis prescribing in the USA have
been conducted since 1995. Since that time, the most comprehensive meta-analysis
and largest randomized study to date concerning stress ulcer prophylaxis have
been published.

      Results:
      Three hundred sixty-eight surveys were sent to all members of the

Section 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 used
in a majority (>90%) of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).
Twenty-two per cent of institutions have recommendations for both ICU and
non-ICU settings. Fifty-eight per cent of institutions stated that there was
one preferred medication for stress ulcer prophylaxis, and in 77% of these
histamine-2-antagonists were the most popular.

      Conclusions:
      There are wide variations in prescribing practices for stress

ulcer prophylaxis. Institutions should consult published literature and use
pre-existing guidelines as templates for developing their own guidelines.