Gastrointestinal hemorrhage: The prehospital recognition, assessment & management of patients with a GI bleed.

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage may result from an upper or a lower source. It may present in many different ways; however, prehospital management is similar regardless of cause. It's imperative to recognize that a seemingly stable GI bleed can become hemodynamically unstable at any time. The prehospital provider, therefore, should understand the pathophysiology, signs, symptoms and therapeutic interventions for patients with GI bleeds to be better prepared to manage any such emergency when it arises.