Wound Care & Minor Procedures and the Belle Glade Office

What to expect

• Call (561) 448-3114 and describe the cut, abscess or stitches
• Staff will tell you whether the Belle Glade office can see it or which office to use
• Bring a list of your medicines, especially blood thinners
• Bring any discharge paperwork if stitches were placed somewhere else

What belongs in a primary care office and what does not

A cut that is open but not bleeding heavily, a painful swelling that may be an abscess, or stitches that are due out can often be handled in a regular primary care visit at an office that offers those procedures. Heavy bleeding that will not stop, a wound with something deep inside it, or an injury from a serious accident belongs in an emergency room. If you are unsure, call and describe it, and staff will tell you honestly which is better.

Tetanus, in the CDC's words

The CDC's guidance says people with a complete tetanus vaccine series need a booster for a clean, minor wound if their last dose was 10 or more years ago, and for a dirty or major wound if it was 5 or more years ago. Many people do not know when their last booster was. Tell your provider what you remember, and bring any vaccine record you have.

Where wound care is offered today

Wound care and minor procedures are offered at the Loxahatchee and West Palm Beach offices. Belle Glade is a newer addition to the practice, and its complete menu of in-office procedures is still being finalized, which is why we do not list it as an office that performs them. Calling first costs a few minutes and avoids a wasted trip.

When diabetes changes the picture

For patients with diabetes, wounds, especially on the feet and lower legs, deserve closer attention because healing can be slower. Dr. Sebastian has particular experience with diabetes, so a visit about a slow-healing wound can be read alongside your broader care. Patients can read about diabetes management in Belle Glade, and anyone whose wound seems slow to heal should say so when they call.

What to bring and what to say

Tell staff how the injury happened and when, and give your last tetanus shot date if you know it. List any medicines you take, especially blood thinners, which can affect bleeding. If stitches were placed somewhere else, bring the discharge papers. None of this is required to be seen, but it makes the assessment faster and safer.

Other visits at this office

The practice's page on family and internal medicine at Belle Glade explains how other visits are handled at this office, where Dr. Moises Lancelot Sebastian sees patients in English and Spanish.

Who you'll see in Belle Glade

Dr. Moises Lancelot Sebastian, MD

General Practitioner — Belle Glade

Also offered at our Belle Glade office

• Family & Internal Medicine
• Preventive Care & Chronic Disease Management
• Diabetes Management
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Management
• Thyroid Care

See Wound Care & Minor Procedures across all our offices, or view the full Belle Glade office page.