Use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in emergency departments of public and private hospitals in Lebanon.

Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation is increasingly being used in emergency departments across Europe and North America. To our knowledge, no similar data are available from other countries. The aim of this study is to describe the current use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in the emergency departments of Lebanese hospitals. A structured and validated questionnaire was sent to all emergency departments in Lebanon. In Lebanon, 48.4% of emergency departments use noninvasive positive pressure ventilation. It is mostly used for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Bilevel and continuous positive airway pressures are the two most widely used modalities for noninvasive positive pressure ventilation. Face mask is the most used patient interface. The use of uniform protocols and training is lacking. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in Lebanese emergency departments is underused, with significant potential for improvements in its current practice.