Stress ulcer prophylaxis guidelines: Are they being implemented in Lebanese health care centers?

AIM: To evaluate the current practice of stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) in Lebanese Health care centers. METHODS: A multi-center prospective chart review study was conducted over 8 mo. A questionnaire was distributed to pharmacy students who collected data on demographics, SUP medications, dose, route, duration and associated risk factors. The appropriateness of SUP use was determined as per American Society of Health-System Pharmacists guidelines. Institutional review board approval was obtained from each hospital center. RESULTS: A total of 1004 patients were included. 67% of the patients who received prophylaxis did not have an indication for SUP. The majority (71.6%) of the patients who were administered parenteral drugs can tolerate oral medications. Overall, the regimen of acid-suppressant drugs was suboptimal in 87.6% of the sample. This misuse was mainly observed in non-teaching hospitals. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the need, in Lebanese hospitals, to establish clinical practice guidelines for the use of SUP; mainly in non-critical care settings.