Version 2.0 BERM
This computer model predicts the number and type of staff needed to respond to a major disease outbreak or bioterrorism attack on a given population. Version 2.0 includes a customizable staff model; it offers more flexibility but requires more inputs.
The model was funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality (AHRQ) and developed by researchers at Weill
Medical College of Cornell University after testing a variety of patient
triage and drug dispensing plans.
Select to Download Information.
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The Bioterrorism and Epidemic Outbreak Response Model (BERM) predicts the
number and type of staff needed to respond to a major disease outbreak or
bioterrorism attack on a given population. Version 2.0
includes a customizable staff model with more flexibility but
requiring more inputs than the previous version.
This model will calculate estimates of recommended per-clinic and campaign-wide
core staff and support staff based on user inputs. These calculations are
identical to those performed in earlier versions. However, this model allows
users to enter each process time and population proportion individually,
rather than selecting 'scenarios' as in previous versions.
BERM allows planners to formulate realistic mass antibiotic dispensing and
vaccination contingency plans for their target populations. Such a model
provides numerical estimates and forces critical examination of assumptions
about prophylaxis clinic design and about the availability of human and materiel
resources.
Estimates derived from this model should be viewed as one type of data among
many that may be useful for planning. Other data might include previous local
experience with immunization campaigns or the results of training exercises
for response to bioterrorism attacks or natural disasters.
Download Information
Version 2.0 BERM (Bioterrorism and Epidemic Outbreak Response Model)
This tool may be downloaded from this Web page as a Microsoft® Excel workbook. To download the file, right click on the link and then select "Save Target As" (Internet Explorer) or "Save Link As" (Firefox™, Netscape®):
You may also access the program in an interactive HTML format. For the Web version, go to:
Version 1.1 BERM
This model (renamed and revised from the original release) was provided to the American Hospital Association (AHA) for distribution to U.S. hospitals. Users are required to register for access from the AHA Disaster Readiness Web site at: http://www.aha.org/aha_app/issues/Emergency-Readiness/index.jsp
Accessibility Notice: This file is not resident on a Government Web site and therefore does not comply with the requirements for Federal information resources under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Mass Prophylaxis/Vaccination Campaign Staffing Model
The original model (Version 1) is maintained for archive purposes. The file is a Microsoft® Excel workbook. To download the file, right click on the link and then select "Save Target As" (Internet Explorer) or "Save Link As" (Firefox™, Netscape®):
For the interactive HTML format of the original model, go to: http://www.ahrq.gov/research/biomodel/index.asp
Copyright Constraints
This model was created
by Nathaniel Hupert,
M.D., M.P.H., and Jason Cuomo, M.P.H., under AHRQ Contract No. 290-00-0013.
Copyright 2003 by Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
AHRQ makes the model available under the
following conditions:
- The model may be downloaded for specific individual applications by
organizations and for personal use, providing the copyright notice is included.
- The model or any modifications or adaptations may not be reproduced,
sold, or used for commercial purposes without the specific permission of
the copyright holder.
Technical Assistance
Permission requests and technical assistance questions on the use of the model should be directed to:
Nathaniel Hupert, M.D., M.P.H.
Department of Public Health
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
411 East 69th St., KB-313
New York, NY 10021
Phone: (212) 746-3049
Fax: (212) 746-8544
E-mail: BTresponse@med.cornell.edu
More Information
If you have any questions
about AHRQ's bioterrorism and health system preparedness program, contact:
Dr. Sally Phillips
Director, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program
Center for Primary
Care Research
Phone: (301) 427-1571
E-mail: Sally.Phillips@ahrq.hhs.gov
Current as of September 2005
Internet Citation:
Computer Staffing Model for Bioterrorism Response. BERM
Version 2.0. September 2005. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville,
MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/research/biomodel.htm
540 Gaither Road Rockville, MD 20850