• Cases of both upper and lower GI bleeding are requiring admission are managed primarily by the gastroenterologists on the Frimley Park site.

• Irrespective of the aetiology, a GI bleed can be catastrophic and the priority is resuscitation of the shocked patient.

• ABC.

• Adequate intravenous access must be quickly established (i.e., 2x large bore cannulae). Bloods sent for FBC, WCC, U+E, LFT, Amylase, Clotting studies, X-Match.

• Resuscitation commenced with Plasmolyte 148

• 4-6 units blood should be urgently cross-matched.

• Consider a urinary catheter +/- a CVP line.

Please refer to the relevant Trust guidelines

Lower GI Bleed

Upper GI Bleed

Anorectal (bright red rectal) bleeding in the stable patient can be investigated as an outpatient with advice on arranging this obtained from the on-call surgical team if necessary.