Table 2.

Input parameters in the simulation model.

Parameter	Data/method	Details
Interarrival rates	Exponential distribution fit to historical ED arrival data	Interarrival rate distributions were separately created for the NMHA group and each MHA subgroup: substance abuse, schizophrenia, mood, anxiety, and others
Flow paths and proportions	Calculated from historical data	Proportions of patients in each acuity level (CTAS 1 to 5) were calculated. For each acuity level, proportions of each discharge disposition were also computed (i.e., discharged, admitted, internal transfer, external transfer, and left/death)
ED bed requirement	LogNormal distribution and average values fit to historical ED LOS data	Separate distributions were created for each acuity and discharge disposition combination
ED bed capacity	Supplied by ED manager	32 beds
PESU bed capacity	Supplied by PESU manager	6 beds
PESU LOS	Triangular distribution supplied by PESU manager	Minimal data were available, so estimates were used and validated by the PESU manager