Access to intensive care in 14 European countries: a spatial analysis of intensive care need and capacity in the light of COVID-19.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses major challenges to health-care systems worldwide. This pandemic demonstrates the importance of timely access to intensive care and, therefore, this study aims to explore the accessibility of intensive care beds in 14 European countries and its impact on the COVID-19 case fatality ratio (CFR).

Methods

We examined access to intensive care beds by deriving (1) a regional ratio of intensive care beds to 100,000 population capita (accessibility index, AI) and (2) the distance to the closest intensive care unit. The cross-sectional analysis was performed at a 5-by-5 km spatial resolution and results were summarized nationally for 14 European countries. The relationship between AI and CFR was analyzed at the regional level.

SUBMITTER: Bauer J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7472675 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature