Congratulations to Dr. Allison Urrutia for be selected as one of Texas Top Doctors for 2021 in Obstetrics and Gynecology.   She is humbled to be awarded this honor. Dr. Urrutia has a continued commitment to her patients and providing comprehensive care. 

The Travis County Medical Society in accordance with Austin Public Health has updated the guidelines on quarantine duration. Please refer to the image below.

The American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology and recently released statement regarding COVID-19 Vaccination use in pregnancy and lactation. In summary, pregnant and lactating women who are at high risk of contracting the virus, should be offered the vaccine. The vaccine is a mRNA, non live vaccine and does not interfere with genetics. The vaccine has not been tested in pregnant women, thus the risks to patient and fetus are unknown. The notable side effects are: allergic reaction, rash, flu-like illness.

We advise high risk patients to consider receiving the vaccine. Please see the link below for more information.

• ACOG Recommendations for COVID-19 Vaccine

Given the recent rise in COVID19 cases in Austin, St. David’s Medical Center Women’s Services has updated the policies and procedures. Below is information regarding protocols for our pregnant patients. Please review at your convenience. We will continue to keep you updated with the latest guidelines from the hospital and CDC.

• Maternity Information
• Pregancy
• Delivery
• Postpartum
• Pregnancy Mental Wellness
• SDMC COVID 19 Guidelines

As we move into the endemic, new screening protocols have been put in place by the CDC and Texas Medical Association. Our office will comply with the screening guidelines. Please make note of these guidelines outlined below:

At St. David’s Medical Center:

• All patients scheduled for operative procedure, induction of labor and cesarean section WILL be tested for COVID-19 prior to their scheduled date. Testing is MANDATORY.
• Any positive COVID-19 results will result in possible cancellation of procedure depending on the nature of the procedure
• Support person for Labor is 1 adult (no children). You may have 2 adult visitors on Postpartum during visiting hours and one person overnight (no children).

At Gynics Associates:

• Beginning March 1, 2022 we are allowing one healthy adult to accompany our OB patients to their visit
• We are also screening patients upon entering the office.
• We will do not allow Walk-In visits
• If you have brought a child with you, its possible you will either have a car visit, or we will reschedule your visit to a day when you have childcare.
• You will not be permitted to enter if:- You do not pass the screening
  – You have brought a child (less than 18 years old) with you
  – You are a support person/visitor without pre-approval.
  – Without a mask…if you don’t have one, one will be provided for you.

  We apologize for this inconvenience. Thank you for your cooperation during this uncertain time. Your health and that of our staff is critical!

Are you expecting? Would you like a tour of St. David’s Medical Center? We know it may be difficult at times to tour the hospital before your big day given the current COVID-19 Pandemic. We have made a brief virtual tour to assist you. Click on the link here to take a virtual tour or go to our FAQ page for access to the tour.  If you have questions or would like more information, we are happy to assist you.

PROTOCOL FOR ENTERING HOSPITAL IN EVENING
Hours of 8PM – 6AM
There has been a new protocol placed for entering the
hospital in the evening due to COVID-19.

DO NOT ENTER THROUGH ER

You will need to enter through the main entrance, call
512-544-4121 to Labor and Delivery and let them know
you are there, they will then send a security guard to
escort you to Labor and Delivery to be assessed.
We advise you to please contact your physician prior to
going to hospital.

Thank you,
Gynics Associates
512-451-3131

To Our Gynics Patients:

Gynics Associates is committed to the health and safety of our patients, families, visitors and team members. We are closely monitoring the developing COVID-19 situation.

As the spread of COVID-19 continues to be a growing concern, we are taking extra precautions to protect our staff and clients such as disinfecting all exam door handles and surfaces after each appointment, disinfecting all door handles and bathrooms continuously throughout the day.  Hand sanitizer will be readily available for staff and patient use.  We have removed all magazines and newspapers from our lobby and treatment rooms.

For the time being we continue to remain open during normal business hours to serve our patients. Effective 03/23/2020, Gynics Associates will postpone all Annual Exams until after 04/03/2020.  For anyone else who would feel more comfortable postponing your non-urgent appointments, please call the office and we will be happy to reschedule your appointment. Please keep in mind that as the situation progresses, and recommendations change, we may have to push out these exams even further. We will continue to see our pregnant patients and patients needing to be seen for a problem. visit.  During this time, for those patients who are unable to come in for their appointment, many prescriptions (depending on the type), can be refilled without a doctor visit. This will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. 

Our doctors are continuing to deliver babies and perform surgeries at St. David’s hospital. **See below for St. David’s rules and restrictions.

In an effort to minimize exposure and help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we have instituted the following policies:

1. If you have flu-like symptoms or signs of a respiratory illness, including fever and cough, you will need to call and reschedule your appointment. Likewise, if you have traveled to one of the countries listed on the CDC’s travel advisory list, please call to reschedule your visit.
2. We discourage visitors, but if you need to be accompanied to your appointment by a friend or family member we will limit visitors to one healthy adult per patient. Visitors who have signs of respiratory illness or have traveled to countries on the CDC’s travel advisory list cannot attend your visit
3. All patients/visitors are required to sanitize their hands upon entering and exiting the office.
4. If you arrive for your appointment showing signs of illness you will be issued a mask and we apologize, but we may elect to reschedule your appointment.
5. If you prefer to be seen in your car, please call the office and notify the front desk when you arrive to the parking lot. Your physician will come see  you when available.

Thank you all for your continued understanding during this uncertain time.  Please keep in mind that this situation is fluid…circumstances and recommendations change everyday.  We will do our best to keep you informed.  You can visit our website (www.gynics.com) for further updates and as always, you can call our office with questions.  As it may be necessary to reduce our staff in the future, please keep in mind that phone wait times may increase. The doctors and staff sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding.

Gynics Associates

Allison A. Urrutia, M.D.            Cynthia D. Coyne, M.D.

Deleia G. DeLeon, M.D.            Courtney E. Wiener, M.D

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How should I take care of myself or family members if I suspect COVID-19 or test positive?
If you display any signs of COVID-19, the best course of treatment in the majority of cases is to stay at home and treat your symptoms with over the counter medications. Here is what our Gynics doctors recommend:

• Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for headache, body aches, fever, and pain.
• Use the lowest amount of a drug that makes your fever get better as your body is working to fight the virus.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Stay well hydrated. Drink plenty of liquids including broth, tea, or another warm beverage.
• Use cough drops or an over the counter cough suppressant as needed. (Ask the pharmacist what over-the-counter cough medicine is best for your cough. There are many options and your pharmacist can give you good advice).
• Honey has been shown to help decrease coughing at night. The adult dose is 2 teaspoons (10 ml) at bedtime.
• Avoid smoking to protect your lungs from infection.
• Continue home isolation for 14 days from the start of symptoms, even if you are feeling better.

When should I call my General Practitioner/Primary Care Physician?
Call your doctor If you experience:

• Trouble breathing
• Cough or fever worsen
• You think you need to be seen
• Seeking ER care is rarely recommended for mild to moderate COVID-19/flu-like symptoms unless you are having severe or progressive shortness of breath, chest pain, unable to keep fluids down or progressive drowsiness

Can I do a video visit with my Gynics doctor?

• At this time Gynics Associates is offering Telemedicine(phone) visits on a case-by-case basis.
• We may have the ability to Skype/video with our patients at some point in the future.
• If you elect to do a phone(or video) visit, please be aware that your insurance will be billed and you may incur a cost if the service is not covered .
• Should circumstances change and your clinic visit can be changed to a video/phone visit, your healthcare team will contact you in advance.

_________________________________________________________________________________

St. David’s Visitor Guidelines as of 03/16/2020, Please visit the hospital website…www.stdavids.com to access the most up-to-date information.

• Visiting Hours are restricted to 6am – 8pm.
• Only one adult per patient allowed in the building at a time during these hours.
• All visitors must be 18 years of age or older.
• One person may remain overnight in these services only:
  • Pediatrics
  • NICU
  • Laboring Mothers
  • Patient Advocates Pre/Post Surgery
  • End-of-Life Care

• All visitors will be screened upon entry into our hospital. Visitors who do not meet the screening criteria will not be allowed in the facility.
• Exceptions may be granted for extraordinary needs.

To assist members with this evolving public health emergency, Travis County Medical Society is updating its Coronavirus Resources page as new information is received from public health authorities.

The following critical advice, released yesterday by Austin Public Health, has been added. Please note the new specified control measures, which impact hospitals, doctors’ offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities:

Advice comes as new control order instructs healthcare facilities to implement sanitation and screening measures

Critical advice has been issued for people in Austin-Travis County who are aware they have had contact with an individual with COVID-19.

Interim local heath authority Dr. Mark Escott has laid out important guidance aimed at reducing the spread of the disease as investigations into the first local cases continue.

Based on these first three cases, Austin Public Health (APH) epidemiologists and nurses are currently conducting contact tracing on hundreds of people.

The new advice states:

• Any individual who is aware of close unprotected contact (within 6 feet) of an individual with COVID-19 should stay home and monitor their temperature and symptoms for 14 days.
• Individuals aware they have been in the same room, but not within six feet, of an individual with COVID-19 should self-monitor their temperature and symptoms for 14 days, avoid close gatherings where they cannot maintain 6 feet of separation from others, including mass transit and air travel.
• Individuals exposed to a case who become symptomatic, including with a cough and/or fever, should stay home and contact their primary care provider or telemedicine provider for advice and assessment of testing priority with Austin Public Health.
• Anyone who is feeling ill – even if they are not aware of any contact with a COVID-19 case – should also stay at home.
• Austin Public Health is working in collaboration with the Dell Medical School and local healthcare systems to rapidly increase the availability of testing, including locations for drive-through testing.

Separately, Dr. Escott has issued a new control order instructing all healthcare facilities in Austin-Travis County to implement a range of sanitation and screening measures.

The new specified control measures, which impact hospitals, doctors’ offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities, mandate that:

• “Help Prevent Disease” signs provided by Austin Public Health must be displayed prominently in all healthcare facilities.
• Hand sanitizer must be available and supplied to employees, patients, visitors, and volunteers.
• The facility must symptom check all employees, patients, visitors, and volunteers prior to entry and may not allow any persons into the facility who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, unless they are patients.
• The facility will develop a plan to screen, identify and, when required, isolate individuals and patients presenting to healthcare facilities using CDC recommendations to assess and further direct the care of patients and individuals presenting to the facility.
• The facility will apply the same approach of screening, identifying and, when required, isolating healthcare workers employed by or affiliated with the facility.
• All healthcare workers should self-monitor their temperature prior to and at least once during their shift.
• Any suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 should be reported to Austin Public Health in the usual manner for notification of reportable disease.

“Preserving healthcare system functioning is paramount during the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Escott. “I believe this order is an appropriate control measure to ensure healthcare facilities can continue to provide care for all patients at the appropriate level while reducing the transmission of disease.”

The order follows similar measures last week aimed at securing long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. Separately, emergency rules have been adopted mandating restaurants and other food establishments to take a range of actions to reduce the possibility of exposure to COVID-19 in Austin-Travis County.

Travis County Medical Society
4300 N Lamar Blvd Austin TX 78756

tcms@tcms.com

 

After 16 years serving the Austin community, in January 2020 Dr. Robert Crumb is relocating to New Zealand. He has accepted an academic faculty appointment with the University of Otago in Dunedin. He has enjoyed the privilege to care for many wonderful patients and he will treasure the memories he has made. We appreciate his dedication and service to the Austin and Gynics communities. His presence will be deeply missed.