Publication Date: October 31st, 2025
Publication Type: Methodology Brief
Topic(s): Health Disparities and Health Equity, Healthcare Access, Hospitals and Clinics, Maternal Health, Women
Author(s): Interrante JD, Carroll C, Sheffield EC, Handley SC, O'Hanlon K, and Kozhimannil KB
Health services research has used a range of methods for measuring whether hospitals have an obstetric unit. Variation across methods may lead to inaccurate or inconsistent findings and to different conclusions about access to obstetric services. Having a clear and consistent measurement of obstetric care access is important for policymaking on rural health as well as maternal and infant health. In 2022, we established and published a transparent and replicable process for consistently defining whether a hospital has an obstetric unit. The purpose of this methodology brief is to add updated information on our enhanced method for identifying hospital-based obstetric unit status and for identifying closures of obstetric units. Version two of the methodology was used to identify obstetric care access in the 2010-2023 data resource.
Do you know of a hospital that closed their obstetric/labor and delivery unit? Please email your information and tips to us: RMC@umn.edu.
Related product: 2010-2023 County-Level Hospital-Based Obstetric Care Status