Concussion Management

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Staff/Participant/Parent Concussion Awareness Information Sheet

Upon registering for any TUF Athletics program all parents are required to review the following CDC Parent / Athlete Concussion Information Sheet and acknowledge they have read it: http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/pdfs/youthsports/parent_athlete_info_sheet-a.pdf

Signs observed by parents, guardians, or sports staff: appears dazed or stunned; is confused about the assignment or position; forgets instructions; is unsure of game, score, or opponent; moves clumsily; answers questions slowly; loses consciousness (even briefly); shows behavior or personality changes; can’t recall events prior to hit or fall; and can’t recall events after hit or fall

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Symptoms reported by player: headache or pressure in the head; nausea or vomiting; balance problems or dizziness; double or blurry vision; sensitivity to light; sensitivity to noise; feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy; concentration or memory problems; confusion; or does not “feel right”.

What to do: If athletes report or exhibit one or more of the signs listed above or say they “just don’t feel right” after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, they may have a concussion and need to be further evaluated.

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Danger signs which require immediate medical attention: one pupil larger than the other; drowsiness or inability to wake up; headache that gets worse and does not go away; weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination; repeated vomiting or nausea; slurred speech; convulsions or seizures; inability to recognize people or places; increasing confusion, restlessness, or agitation; unusual behavior, loss of consciousness (even brief). If one or more of these danger signs occur after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body: call 9-1-1 or transport the athlete immediately to the emergency room.

On Field Medical Status Evaluation:

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Orientation Questions: (ask the athlete)

  • What period/quarter/half are we in?

  • What stadium/field is this?

  • What city is this?

  • Who is the opposing team?

  • Who scored last?

  • Do you remember the hit?

  • What team did we play last?

  • Repeat the following: girls, dog, green

Concentration: (ask the athlete)

Repeat the days of the week backwards (starting with today)

Repeat the months of the year backward (starting with December)

Repeat these numbers backward 63, (36), 419 (914), 6294 (4926)

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Exertional Maneuvers:

Complete 5 jumping jacks / Complete 5 sit ups.

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Word List Memory: (ask the athlete)

Repeat the three words from earlier: girls, dog, green

 

When an athlete has been removed from a contest by a sports official due to signs or symptoms of a concussion, the only persons who should clear an athlete’s reentry are a medical doctor (MD), doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO), physician’s assistant (PA), registered nurse practitioner (NP), paramedic (PM), or athletic trainer (AT).  The athlete shall not return to that contest or any subsequent contest until cleared.

  • Remove the athlete from play – if any of the signs and symptoms are observed, remove the athlete from play. When in doubt, sit them out!

  • Make sure the athlete is evaluated by an MD or DO who is experienced in evaluating concussions. Let the professionals judge the severity.

  • Inform the athlete’s parents / guardians and provide them with the CDC fact sheet on “Concussions for parents” to help them monitor the athlete for signs and symptoms: http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/pdfs/custom/headsupconcussion_fact_sheet_for_parents.pdf

  • Keep the athlete out of play the day of the injury AND until an MD or DO experienced in evaluating concussion says it’s OK for the athlete to return.  The MD or DO must provide written medical clearance and the athlete should be asymtematic at rest and with exertion.  The MD or DO should require the athlete to follow a progressive return to play protocol.  Here is a link to the CDC’s progressive return to play protocol: https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/basics/return_to_sports.html

  • Teach and practice safety rules of play and encourage good sportsmanship.

  • Teach and practice correct sport specific techniques for minimizing injuries. 

To the extent that our state’s concussion laws exceed the requirements outlined above, we should comply with our state’s law. A summary of state concussion laws can be found at: http://www.lawatlas.org/preview?dataset=sc-reboot

To the extent that our state’s version of National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) rules, regulations, or recommendations on brain injury exceed the requirements outlined above, we should comply with such standards.

A hard or electronic copy of this risk management program which includes policies and educational awareness training should be distributed to each contractor when their contract is signed.