The Weill/Cornell Bioterrorism and Epidemic Outbreak Response Model (BERM)

Several prominent studies of bioterrorism response recommend mass prophylaxis (including vaccination) of civilian populations as the optimal response in certain outbreak scenarios. Unfortunately, few planning tools have been available to help emergency planners understand the logistical and staffing needs of a large-scale prophylaxis campaign designed to cover a specific target population.

Now, researchers in the Department of Public Health at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, under contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) have developed an interactive planning tool designed to estimate the number of staff needed to operate a mass prophylaxis center given specific population size and staff limitations.

Sample Model Input:

• size of the population
• the time frame for the campaign
• characteristics of the prophylaxis clinic patient flow
• speed of patient processing
• bioterrorism release scenario

Model output is the number of sites and type of staff required to complete the campaign in the selected timeframe. This is essential information for hospitals and public health officials to use in developing realistic post-event plans.

Download the Version 2.0 BERM

The Weill/Cornell Bioterrorism and Epidemic Outbreak Response Model (BERM)
Created by Nathaniel Hupert, MD, MPH and Jason Cuomo, MPH
© 2003 Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Funded by AHRQ Contract 290-00-0013
Please DO NOT forward this document electronically without the authors' permission.
Last Update: 7/5/03