Computer Models and Online Training

To learn the basics of Computer Models and Public Health Emergency Preparedness, check out our featured Montgomery APC Shorts video.

Clinic Planning Model Generator

Mass prophylaxis clinics are a primary function of the response a major public health event.  The Clinic Planning Model Generator (CPMG) is a downloadable Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet computer model which will help public health emergency planners to determine staffing and estimate capacity and congestion of mass prophylaxis clinics.

Use of the CPMG will allow public health emergency planners to:
• Build a computer model of a mass prophylaxis clinic using key process parameters for pre-event planning
• Estimate the number of staff needed for mass prophylaxis clinics
• Estimate the capacity and congestion of a mass prophylaxis clinic
• Modify the computer model to consider a variety of scenarios and processes
• Evaluate staffing, capacity and congestion of mass prophylaxis clinics post-event

Montgomery APC is collaborating with the University of Maryland, Institute for Systems Research in the development of the Clinic Planning Model Generator. Available on the website is a user guide as well as sample models.  If users need further assistance, please feel free to contact us at MontgomeryAPC@montgomerycountymd.gov.

**If you are interested in reading more about the Clinic Planning Model Generator being used in a local public health setting, please download this Case Study, featuring Russell Melmed and the Ledgelight Health District in Southeastern, Connecticut.

eMedCheck

During a public health emergency, time, accuracy and data collection are essential in medical clinics.  One way to improve these activities is through the use of technology.  An electronic medical screening tool can decrease the amount of time spent on patient screening and/or registration, improve accuracy of the patient receiving the correct medication and serve as a data collection system.  eMedCheck, an ongoing project with the University of Maryland, is an medical screening tool used on a personal digital assistant (PDA) Palm T/X Handheld.  Two medical screening tools have been developed, one for Cities Ready Initiative (CRI) Anthrax scenario and a second for Hepatitis A outbreak.  eMedCheck has been tested and evaluated during exercises and real-life events at local health departments. 

The primary audience for this tool are public health emergency planners.  The goal is to increase the knowledge and skills among public health emergency planners to improve patient flow and tracking during an large scale mass dispensing Anthrax emergency event.  The objectives of this tool are to increase staff knowledge and expertise in using handheld hardware devices and to increase staff knowledge and expertise in clinic design and layout and data management.

To download the different formats of eMedCheck please to go:

• PDA Model
• Blackberry
• Download the App here from the Apple Store!

Alternate Care Site (ACS) Surge Model (Beta Version)

The ACS Surge model was designed to assist public health emergency planners in estimating the resources necessary to support an ACS or shelter.  Planners can include types of sites (e.g., shelters, medical center, influenza care center, etc.) that would be used during a specific scenario and the resources (e.g., meals, staff, beds, etc.) necessary to meet the needs of a specific population.  Many of the fields in the model can be created specific to the jurisdiction. The model can be shared with hospitals, emergency management, local government officials and other partners to inform the planning process.  The ACS Surge model is created in MS Excel and includes user instructions.

Computer Modeling Training Courses

Building upon materials used in previous trainings, including the 2006 APC Training Conference and the 2009 Public Health Preparedness Summit, we have developed one of four online training courses on computer planning models.  The first course, Introduction to Computer Planning Models will be posted onto the University of Maryland, Institute of Systems Research webpage.   

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