Due to the tropical nature of most of the state of Hawaii and the large influx of travelers from the southern Atlantic islands, and Central and South America, the spread of the Zika virus is a very real concern.

Due to the tropical nature of most of the state of Hawaii and the large influx of travelers from the southern Atlantic islands, and Central and South America, the spread of the Zika virus is a very real concern. The Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) can receive real-time electronic notification of any suspected or confirmed diagnoses of Zika exposure from any hospital or laboratory in the state.

Using the patient demographic information received from the EHR’s public health reporting systems, FDOH uses a geographic information system (GIS) to map and track the spread of the Zika virus anywhere in the state. Based on the tracking information, mosquito eradication efforts can be coordinated and focused on the most at-risk locations. The respective county health departments can then provide additional and more aggressive screenings on the identified at-risk populations.

QUESTION 1: How can the Hawaii hospitals benefit from the use of GIS tracking of epidemics and outbreaks?

QUESTION 2: Develop an action plan that the Hawaii Healthcare Organizations could implement in times of an epidemic or outbreak. Be sure to address how the information system used in the laboratory would quickly notify administrators and clinicians in order to prepare for the rapid arrival of patients. For this action plan, please provide the types of reports and functions the LIS will provide in times of an epidemic or outbreak.

QUESTION 3: Develop an action plan that the Hawaii Healthcare Organizations could implement in times of an epidemic or outbreak. Be sure to address how the information system used in the pharmacy would quickly notify the management team in order to prepare for the rapid arrival of patients. For this action plan, please provide the types of reports and functions the PIS will provide in times of an epidemic or outbreak.