Pediatric preparedness of Lebanese emergency departments

The pediatric preparedness of Lebanese Emergency Departments (EDs) has not been evaluated.

To describe the number, regional location, and characteristics of EDs in Lebanon providing care to children and to describe the staffing, equipment, and support services of these EDs.

We surveyed hospitals in Lebanon caring for children in an ED setting between September 2009 and September 2010. The survey was provided in English and Arabic and could be completed in person, by telephone, or on the Web.

We identified 115 EDs that cared for children in Lebanon; 72 (63%) completed the survey, most of which were urban (54%). Ninety-three percent of the EDs had <20,000 total patient visits annually; children (variably defined) accounted for <29% of the patients at 89% of the sites. Physicians caring for children in the EDs had varied medical training; and a pediatrician was "usually involved" in the management of pediatric patients in 95% of the EDs. Only 27% of EDs had attending physicians present 24 h/day to care for children. Half of the hospitals had an intensive care unit that could care for children (48%). Most EDs had endotracheal tubes (95%) and intravenous catheters (90%) in all pediatric sizes.

The emergency care of children in Lebanon is provided at numerous hospitals throughout the country, with a wide range of staffing patterns and available support services.