The PFM accurately represents patient flow through the department and can provide simulated patient flow information on a variety of scenarios. It can effectively simulate changes to the model and its effects on patient flow.

The top quartile of performance indicators considered most useful by participants included indicators that reflected clinical outcomes, LOS, and waiting times. A dichotomy may exist between those performance indicators that PED directors considered more useful and those indicators that are currently measured.

Simulation scenario analyses predict that an OU and a transfer mandate would reduce overcapacity in the PED, with more substantial reductions in time to be seen and length of stay for patients of high acuity.

No abstract