Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/299909 
Year of Publication: 
2024
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 16981
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We examine how the number of beds available in a maternity ward affects the likelihood of cesarean delivery and maternal health. Our analysis is based on administrative data from Austria. We exploit idiosyncratic daily variation in the occupancy of maternity hospital beds. We find that empty beds increase the probability of cesarean delivery, hospitalization, and readmission. A one standard deviation decrease in maternity bed occupancy increases the probability of cesarean delivery by 4.0% and subsequent hospitalization by 5.8%. Expectant mothers may benefit from a crowded hospital, even at unfavorable patient-staff ratios, because it may lead to less harmful overtreatment.
Subjects: 
capacity
hospital crowding
supplier-induced demand
cesarean delivery
cesarean section
overtreatment
maternal health
JEL: 
I12
J13
J11
J22
J21
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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