ORLANDO, Fla., April 30, 2009 (4:30 p.m.) – In response to the swine flu threat, Florida Hospital is taking appropriate precautions to ensure it meets the health care needs of the Central Florida community. Throughout the week, teams of Florida Hospital system officials, doctors, and nurses have come together to assemble plans and resources to address the issue of swine flu.

Protecting its patients and employees is the main priority for Florida Hospital. Information to educate staff and their families about swine flu prevention and symptoms of the illness is being communicated to hospital staff. An internal Web site has been created to provide employees with information and links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Health (DOH) Web sites.

Florida Hospital is in constant communication with state officials, the county Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the Orange County Health Department. Should the need arise, Florida Hospital has plans in place to open its own EOC to coordinate hospital operations. Florida Hospital is in the process of analyzing its medical supplies needs and is ordering appropriate materials as necessary.