Analysis of Hospital Production: An Output Index Approach
研究提出一种产出指数方法来估计医院成本函数，应用于加州医院数据，发现初级护理存在范围经济，而二级和三级护理存在范围不经济，且最小有效规模大于传统方法估计值。
Summary In this study, we develop and implement an output index approach to the estimation of hospital cost functions that reflects the differentiated nature of hospital care. The approach combines the estimation of an output index within a flexible functional form. We find, in an application to California hospitals, evidence of scope economies across specialties within primary care, and diseconomies of scope within secondary and tertiary care. Minimum efficient scale is reached at larger levels of output than would be estimated by conventional techniques. These results indicate the importance of accounting for firm output heterogeneity when estimating cost functions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.