CONCUSSION AND HEAD INJURY POLICY 3250
Click link for 3250 - Concussion Form
1. PURPOSE:
1.1 Sevier School District has established this policy to provide education about concussions and head injuries for coaches, school personnel, parents, and students. The policy outlines procedures for staff to follow in managing concussions, and outlines District policy as it pertains to return to play or activity issues following a concussion.
1.2 The District seeks to provide a safe return to activity for all students following any injury, but particularly after a concussion. In order to effectively and consistently manage these injuries, procedures have been developed to aid in insuring that concussed students are identified, treated and referred appropriately, receive appropriate follow-up medical care during the school day and are fully recovered prior to returning to activity.
2. Recognition of Concussion
2.1 What is a concussion? A concussion is type of traumatic brain injury that interferes with normal function of the brain. It occurs when the brain is rocked back and forth or twisted inside the skull as a result of a blow to the head or body. What may appear to be only a mild jolt or blow to the head or body can result in a concussion. A concussion can occur even if a player or student in an activity is not knocked out or loses consciousness. (NFHS “Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion in Sports.”)
2.2 Common signs and symptoms of sports-related concussion
2.2.1 Signs (observed by others):
2.2.1.1 Student appears dazed or stunned
2.2.1.2 Confusion
2.2.1.3 Forgets plays
2.2.1.4 Unsure about game, score, opponent
2.2.1.5 Moves clumsily (altered coordination)
2.2.1.6 Balance problems
2.2.1.7 Personality change
2.2.1.8 Responds slowly to questions
2.2.1.9 Forgets events prior to hit
2.2.1.10 Forgets events after the hit
2.2.1.11 Loss of consciousness (any duration)
2.2.2 Symptoms (reported by student):
2.2.2.1 Headache
2.2.2.2 Fatigue
2.2.2.3 Nausea or vomiting
2.2.2.4 Double vision, blurry vision
2.2.2.5 Sensitive to light or noise
2.2.2.6 Feels sluggish
2.2.2.7 Feels “foggy”
2.2.2.8 Problems concentrating
2.2.2.9 Problems remembering
2.3 These signs and symptoms following a witnessed or suspected blow to the head or body are indicative of probable concussion. Any student who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the contest, game, activity, or practice and shall not return to participate until cleared by an appropriate health care professional.
3 Management and Referral Guidelines for All Staff
3.1 The following situations indicate a medical emergency and require activation of the Emergency Medical System:
3.1.1 Any student with a witnessed loss of consciousness (LOC) of any duration should be spine boarded and transported immediately to nearest emergency department via emergency vehicle.
3.1.2 Any student who has symptoms of a concussion, and who is not stable (i.e., condition is worsening), is to be transported immediately to the nearest emergency department via emergency vehicle.
3.1.3 A student who exhibits any of the following symptoms should be transported immediately to the nearest emergency department, via emergency vehicle.
3.1.3.1 Deterioration of neurological function
3.1.3.2 Decreasing level of consciousness
3.1.3.3 Decrease or irregularity in respirations
3.1.3.4 Any signs or symptoms of associated injuries, spine or skull fracture, or bleeding
3.1.3.5 Mental status changes: lethargy, difficulty maintaining arousal, confusion or agitation
3.1.3.6 Seizure activity
3.2 A student, who is symptomatic but stable, may be transported by his or her parents. The parents should be advised to contact the student’s primary care provider, or seek care at the nearest emergency department, on the day of the injury.
4. Guidelines and Procedures for Coaches and Teachers Supervising Contests and Games:
4.1 Recognize concussion
4.1.1 All educators and staff of the District should become familiar with the signs and symptoms of concussion that are described above.
4.1.2 Educators and staff of the District shall have appropriate training about recognizing and responding to traumatic head injuries, consistent with the employees’ responsibilities for supervising students and athletes.
4.2 Remove from activity
4.2.1 Any student who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the sporting event or activity and shall not return to participate until cleared by an appropriate health care professional.
4.3 Refer the athlete/student for medical evaluation
4.3.1 The employee or staff member of the District is responsible for notifying the student’s parent(s) of the injury.
4.3.1.1 Contact the parent(s) to inform the parent of the injury. Depending on the injury, either an emergency vehicle will transport or parent(s) will pick the student up at the event for transport. (see Section II).
4.3.1.2 A medical evaluation is required before returning to play or participate in physical activities.
4.3.2 In the event that a student’s parent(s) cannot be reached, and the student is able to be sent home (rather than directly to MD):
4.3.2.1 The District employee or staff member should insure that the student will be with a responsible individual, who is capable of monitoring the student and understanding the home care instructions, before allowing the student to go home.
4.3.2.2 The District employee or staff member should continue efforts to reach a parent.
4.3.2.3 If there is any question about the status of the student, or if the student cannot be monitored appropriately, the student should be referred to an Emergency Department for evaluation. Two District employees or staff members should accompany the student and remain with the student until a parent arrives.
4.3.2.4 The District employee or staff member shall provide for supervision of other students for whom he or she is responsible when accompanying the injured student.
4.3.3 Note: Students with suspected head injuries should not be permitted to drive home.
4.3.4 District employees or staff members should seek assistance from the host site certified athletic trainer (ATC) or team physician, if available, at an away contest if the injury occurs at a formal athletic contest.
4.4 Return to Play (RTP) Procedures After Concussion
4.4.1 Return to activity and play is a medical decision. The student must meet all of the following criteria in order to progress to activity:
4.4.2 Asymptomatic at rest and with exertion (including mental exertion in school) AND
4.4.3 have written clearance from the student’s primary care provider or concussion specialist (student must be cleared for progression to activity by
4.4.4 a physician other than an Emergency Room physician, if diagnosed with a concussion).
4.4.5 Once the above criteria are met, the student will be progressed back to full activity following the step-wise process detailed below. (This progression must be closely supervised by a District employee or staff member. If your school does not have an athletic trainer, then the coach must have a very specific plan to follow as directed by the athlete’s physician).
4.4.6 Progression is individualized, and will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Factors that may affect the rate of progression include: previous history of concussion, duration and type of symptoms, age of the student, and sport/activity in which the student participates. An athlete/student with a prior history of concussion, one who has had an extended duration of symptoms, or one who is participating in a collision or contact sport may be progressed more slowly.
4.4.7 Stepwise progression as described below:
Step 1. Complete cognitive rest. This may include staying home from school or limiting school hours (and studying) for several days. Activities requiring concentration and attention may worsen symptoms and delay recovery.
Step 2. Return to school full-time.
Step 3. Light exercise. This step cannot begin until the student is no longer having concussion symptoms and is cleared by a physician for further activity. At this point the athlete may begin walking or riding an exercise bike. No weight lifting.
Step 4. Running in the gym or on the field. No helmet or other equipment.
Step 5. Non-contact training drills in full equipment. Weight training can begin.
Step 6. Full contact practice or training.
Step 7. Play in game. Must be cleared by physician before returning to play.
4.4.8 The student should spend 1 to 2 days at each step before advancing to the next. If post concussion symptoms occur at any step, student must stop the activity and the treating physician must be contacted. Depending upon the specific type and severity of the symptoms, the student may be told to rest for 24 hours and then resume activity at a level one step below where he or she was at when the symptoms occurred. This resumption of activity could be considerably simplified for a student injured during recess compared to a student injured at a game or formal practice where all the steps should be followed.
Approved: 11/16/11
Clink link for 3250 - Concussion Form