Use of Antibiotics Among Patients With Cirrhosis and Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Is Associated With Reduced Mortality

In a study of patients with cirrhosis and UGIB in the VA health care system, timely administration of antibiotics was associated with a 30% reduction in 30-day mortality. The proportion of patients with cirrhosis and UGIB receiving timely antibiotics nearly doubled from 2005 to 2013, but many patients-particularly those with less-advanced cirrhosis-did not receive this intervention. Targeted efforts are needed to promote the appropriate use of antibiotics among patients with cirrhosis and UGIB