A new and novel computer modeling platform developed through intensive, multidisciplinary collaboration at New YorkUniversity can help hospitals and cities to be more prepared for catastrophic public health scenarios, according to an article published in the American Medical Association’s Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness journal.
The article, “A Novel Approach to Multihazard Modeling and Simulation,” is based on the authors’ test of the NYU computerized disaster simulation framework known as “Plan C” with a hypothetical malicious sarin release in several Manhattan locations. With the input of city demographic information, hospital resource and public transit data, the results showed that under certain circumstances, up to 22,000 individuals might become exposed, leading to 178 intensive care unit admissions.
The article’s lead author is Dr. Silas Smith of New YorkUniversity’s School of Medicine, who prepared it with Ian Portelli, PhDc, MSc CRA, Giuseppe Narzisi, PhDc, Lewis S. Nelson, MD, Fabian Menges, Cand.Ing., E. Dianne Rekow, DDS, PhD, Joshua S. Mincer, MD, PhD, Bhubaneswar Mishra, PhD, MS. and Lewis R. Goldfrank, MD – all of New YorkUniversity.
