Dunedin and Safety Harbor represent two of the most charming communities in the Tampa Bay area — and two markets where HMO practices face significant wound care challenges. With populations that skew older and high Medicare Advantage penetration, practices in these communities see substantial chronic wound volumes. The question is: are you managing them in-house, or losing revenue to external wound centers?
WCHMO provides specialized wound care consulting for practices in Dunedin (34698) and Safety Harbor (34695). We help you build the capability to manage most wounds locally, keeping patients convenient and revenue in your practice.
Dunedin (34698)
- Historic downtown medical district
- Strong retiree population
- High MA enrollment
- Limited wound center options nearby
Safety Harbor (34695)
- Growing healthcare community
- Mix of active and assisted living
- Significant capitated patient base
- Patients prefer local care options
The Unique Opportunity for Dunedin & Safety Harbor Practices
These communities share characteristics that make in-house wound care especially valuable:
Geographic Convenience
The nearest specialized wound centers are often in Clearwater or Palm Harbor — a 15-30 minute drive that can be challenging for elderly patients. Traffic on US-19 and Alt-19 makes these trips unpredictable. When patients can get wound care at their regular doctor's office, compliance improves dramatically.
Tight-Knit Community
Word travels fast in smaller communities. When patients have a positive experience with convenient, quality wound care at your practice, referrals increase. The inverse is also true — sending patients elsewhere creates friction and can lead to patient leakage.
Demographics Favoring Wound Care Demand
Both communities have populations with higher-than-average rates of:
- Diabetes and diabetic foot ulcers
- Venous insufficiency and leg ulcers
- Mobility limitations leading to pressure injuries
- Post-surgical complications in elderly patients
The Financial Impact
Let's look at typical numbers for a practice serving Dunedin and Safety Harbor:
Sample Practice Analysis
A family medicine practice with 2,200 patients in the 34698/34695 area:
- Annual wound patients: 45-55
- Currently referred out: 40 patients (90%+)
- Average cost per episode: $4,300
- Annual revenue leakage: $172,000
With proper protocols and training, most practices can capture 70% of these wounds in-house. That's $120,000+ staying in your practice annually.
What Practices Can Manage In-House
Not every wound requires a specialist. Here's what your Dunedin or Safety Harbor practice can handle with proper support:
Diabetic Foot Ulcers
The bread and butter of wound care. With offloading devices, regular sharp debridement, and appropriate dressings, most DFUs heal in primary care. This also positively impacts your HEDIS diabetes measures.
Venous Leg Ulcers
Compression therapy is the gold standard, and it's entirely manageable in primary care. Proper assessment (ABI measurement to rule out arterial disease) and consistent compression yields excellent results.
Pressure Injuries (Stage 1-3)
With appropriate positioning, pressure-relieving surfaces, and wound care protocols, early-stage pressure injuries heal well without specialty referral.
Minor Surgical Complications
Superficial dehiscence, delayed healing, and minor wound infections can often be managed without returning to the surgeon.
Chronic Skin Tears and Lacerations
Common in elderly populations, these wounds require proper assessment and closure techniques but rarely need specialty care.
WCHMO's Approach
We've designed our consulting specifically for practices in communities like Dunedin and Safety Harbor:
Practice Assessment
We start by understanding your patient population, current referral patterns, and staff capabilities. Every practice is different, and our approach is tailored to your specific situation.
Protocol Development
We create wound care protocols that fit your workflow and EHR system. These include assessment templates, treatment algorithms, documentation requirements, and clear escalation criteria.
Staff Training
Your clinical staff becomes wound care capable through hands-on training covering assessment, treatment, documentation, and patient education.
Supply Chain Setup
We help establish relationships with wound care supply vendors who serve the Tampa Bay area, ensuring you have access to quality products at competitive prices.
Ongoing Support
Through our monthly consulting retainer, you have access to complex case consultations, protocol updates, and continuous improvement support.
Results from Similar Communities
Practices in similar small-city environments have achieved significant results:
Avg. reduction in wound referrals
Average annual savings
Patient satisfaction rate
Getting Started
Ready to transform wound care at your Dunedin or Safety Harbor practice? Here's how to begin:
- Free Consultation: We'll discuss your practice's specific situation and goals (30 minutes, no obligation)
- Referral Analysis: We'll help you quantify your current wound care costs
- Custom Proposal: A detailed implementation plan for your practice
- Implementation: Training, protocols, and systems in 4-6 weeks
- Ongoing Success: Monthly support to ensure continued improvement
Dunedin & Safety Harbor Practice Owners
Find out how much you could save by bringing wound care in-house.
Schedule Free Consultation →Also Serving Nearby Communities
In addition to Dunedin and Safety Harbor, WCHMO provides wound care consulting throughout the Tampa Bay region:
- Tarpon Springs (34689)
- Palm Harbor (34683, 34684, 34685)
- Clearwater (33755, 33756, 33759, 33761)
- Greater Tampa Bay