Access to health assessment services for confirmed COVID-19 patients in Bihor County, Romania

Abstract

Aim and objective: This study presents the usefulness of a geographical information system to identify issues related to geographical access of COVID-19 confirmed individuals to established assessment services, in Bihor County, Romania. Material and method: Using the QGIS application, a geographic information system (GIS) was created with the following layers: the centroid of county localities, the assessment centres of confirmed cases, the corresponding 30-minute and 60-minute intervals for vehicle travel time from the localities to the assessment centre. Results: Determination of travel time (personal car or ambulance) from localities to an assessment centre was performed using isochrones for 30 minutes and 60 minutes. The ORS Tools plugin was used to plot the isochrones as a map. Conclusions: These analyses performed may provide key information for the development of health policies that promote safety and well-being in relation to the risks associated with COVID-19. Data are provided on areas with reduced access to healthcare resources.