EDINA’S TRUSTED PEDIATRIC URGENT CARE
Stitches
When your child needs to get stitches, the whole process can feel overwhelming and scary. At Red Balloon Urgent Care, we take pride in making the process as stress-free as possible. From the moment you enter our clinic until you leave, your child is at the center of our mindset and decision-making. Additionally, our providers have been trained to complete stitches by pediatric plastic surgeons. We always consider the medical needs and cosmetic needs of each repair. This includes good wound closure, minimizing infection risk and minimizing the likelihood or extent of scarring.
What to Expect When You Arrive
Like any Red Balloon encounter, we operate as a walk-in clinic. So if you believe your child needs stitches, the first step is to walk-in and be greeted by our friendly front desk staff. At this point, you will be taken to our procedure room where your child will have a comfortable bed and plenty of space for grown-ups and siblings. If stitches are needed, your child will receive medication by mouth and medication on the skin that will help make the skin numb. While the numbing medicine is working, your child will be given a chance to visualize, touch, and explore the materials that the nurse practitioner will use to complete the repair. We believe that allowing kids a chance to explore the tools actually puts them at ease. We see it work every day! Once ready, kids are thoughtfully placed in certain positions including the parent’s lap, resting in bed or a combination of both. While the nurse practitioner does the repair, your child will be given their choice of a sucker or freezy pop and will have access to an ipad to watch a video or play a game. The nurse practitioner will then complete the repair. At Red Balloon, we will give you a timeline for when to get the stitches removed and are happy to do the removal for you. You will also be given after-care instructions.
Why Do You Use Non-Medical Terms?
You may notice we use certain words (and avoid others) when talking to you and your child about stitches. This is all on purpose! For example, we use the word “stitches” on our website because parents know what that is, but while we talk to your child, we call them “string band-aids.” This language is non-threatening, easy to understand and actually provides a better visualization than “stitches” because most kids are familiar with both string and bandaids. We say “make your skin go to sleep” instead of “numbing” for the same reason. Another example is “string holder” instead of “needle holder.” Language that is honest, positive, and developmentally appropriate are chosen and questions are always encouraged.
