Hospitals help health dept. track flu

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - So far, there are no confirmed cases of swine flu in Marion County. However, the Marion County Health Department is reporting at least two suspected cases and the state has sent the Centers for Disease Control 30 samples that met the criteria of possible swine flu.

Meanwhile, Indianapolis hospital representatives admit they are getting more patients and more calls. St. Vincent Hospital network is treating the possibility of a swine flu pandemic as an emergency. They said they've enacted their emergency procedures.

"We make every effort to isolate a patient who comes into a doctor's office or into our emergency department so that they can't infect other people who do not have any symptoms," said Dr. Robert Lubitz, St. Vincent Hospital's Vice President of Academic Affairs and Research.

Dr. Lubitz said procedures are in place for patients with possible swine flu symptoms.

"So a patient who comes in with flu-like symptoms has a mask put on. Then they are taken back to a room by themselves where they are evaluated. The physician and nurse who see them are also wearing personal protective equipment so they don't get potentially exposed," said Dr. Lubitz.

Doctors and nurses get the patient's history. If exam results suggest the flu, doctors perform a rapid Influenza A test.

"Any patient who is positive on the rapid test or highly suspicious with a negative test, we would send a swab to the state department of health to test for the virus," said Dr. Lubitz.

Wishard Hospital is also experiencing an increase in patients and calls, but no confirmed cases of swine flu.

"I think a lot of people are very worried about this, but this is a very real condition in our community. We are seeing positive tests across the state of Indiana for the rapid influenza test. So, we are anticipating more cases developing in this state," said Dr. Lubitz.

The hospital sends positive and suspicious negative rapid Influenza A tests to the state which, in turn, sends the tests to the Centers for Disease Control for results.

It takes anywhere from 48 hours to one week to get the results depending on the volume. 24-Hour News 8 has been told the volume is high right now because all 50 states are testing and sending samples.