Due to the tropical nature of most of the state of Florida and the large influx of travelers from the southern Atlantic islands

Due to the tropical nature of most of the state of Florida 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 Florida Department of Health (FDOH) 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. 1. How can hospitals benefit from the use of GIS tracking of outbreaks and epidemics? 2. Describe an action plan that the HCO could implement in times of any outbreak or epidemic where the LIS could quickly notify physicians and clinical administrators in order to prepare for management and medical decisions to address a sudden influx of patients. 3. Describe an action plan