Monday, March 23 UPDATE

Because of the need to control the spread of COVID-19, we will be transitioning the majority of all appointments to a Telemedicine appointment. Follow up visits will be done via telemedicine for the immediate future. Please be available by phone in the days prior to your appointment for possible COVID screening or instructions for preparing for your telemedicine appointment.

If you have an IT pump that requires maintenance or refill, we will continue to see you in the clinic as is necessary with additional precautions. If you feel you have an emergency or believe that you must be seen in person, Dr. Aust or another licensed provider will determine on a case by case basis if an in-person visit is required during the pandemic.

Please DO NOT go to the Emergency Room for control of chronic pain unless instructed to do so by a healthcare professional. Call the hospital's or your insurance company's triage nurse prior to presenting to the ER as you may be placing yourself in danger. You may call us for a telemedicine triage a severe chronic pain flare up to see if we can safely assist you in order to prevent ER exposure during the COVID-19 outbreak. Call 911 for chest pain, signs of stroke, or other medical emergencies so that EMS can transport you to the safest place for emergency care.

If you have a procedure scheduled in the next 30 days, it will be postponed in most cases until after the COVID-19 pandemic is better controlled. In rare cases, a procedure that cannot be delayed 30 days for safety reasons can be done in the office. This will be determined by Dr. Aust on a case by case basis. Non-emergent procedures or procedures that can be safely delayed 30 days WILL be rescheduled.

Dr. Aust and staff continue to follow CDC, State and local Coronavirus guidelines. We have implemented strict patient flow and sanitary protocols which must be followed. This is for the safety of our patients and staff to reduce any risks. Please inform us of any possible Coronavirus exposure prior to any in-office appointment.

Only patients will be allowed inside the facility during the COVID-19 outbreak.
All family members and/or drivers will have to remain in their vehicles unless physically assisting patients with reduced mobility.

Governor Edwards has issued a Stay at Home Order on March 22 directing all Louisiana residents to stay at home and limit going outside of your home beyond essential needs.

Please practice social distancing and stay 6 feet away from others when having to go out in public. Avoid contact with public surfaces as the virus can be transmitted from contaminated surfaces including door handles, countertops or anything else. Wash your hands frequently to minimize spread through surface contact.

Stay safe everyone, we will see you all soon!

– Dr. Aust and Team