The region’s two major hospitals are doing an increasing number of rapid-results testing for swine flu, officials said Friday.

So far, the five-minute tests have not indicated any cases of swine, or H1N1, flu in the Pikes Peak region, officials said.

Memorial Hospital has almost tripled the number of rapid-results tests since the swine flu moved from Mexico into the United States.

On April 13, Memorial tested 22 people for influenza A and B. On Tuesday, that number had soared to 75. On Wednesday, the hospital tested 63 people, spokeswoman Erin Emery said.

Penrose has seen a “moderate” increase in the number of influenza tests its lab has done, said Stacey Knott, public information officer.

Knott said there is no test to specifically identify the swine flu. But H1N1 does have characteristics of influenza A.

If a rapid-results test is positive for influenza A, and the patient was either in Mexico or has family or friends who were recently in Mexico, results are sent to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, which decides whether to send samples to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for further testing, Knott said.

On Friday, the state health department said its laboratory has identified only eight “suspect” lab specimens out of 66 tests it has conducted for the H1N1 influenza virus.

Of the eight tests sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for further testing, two were confirmed positive Thursday and the remaining six are pending.

Still, despite those paltry numbers, Memorial has seen calls to its nurse-staffed HealthLink hot line increase by 64 percent this week, Emery said.

In response, the hospital is extending the hours of operation for the service, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. The number is 444-CARE (2273).

Penrose also operates a similar hot line, called Ask A Nurse. That number is 776-5555.

The hot line operates from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Both hospittals on Friday implemented recommendations designed to protect visitors and patients.

The hospitals are asking that people avoid visiting friends or family members at the hospitals if they:

DETAILS

Penrose Hospital spokeswoman Stacey Knott said there are several common-sense things people should do to help ward off influenza.

Col. Randy George, left, and CSM William Johnson case the brigade’s colors during the ceremony for the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, on Fort Carson’s Manhart Field Friday, May 1, 2009. Photo by KEVIN KRECK, THE GAZETTE

Kevin Kreck