New 5422-R
Concussion Management Regulation
The following concussion management regulation shall be followed for all students in the Phoenix Central Schools that display signs and symptoms of a concussion. This includes interscholastic athletes as well as students in physical education classes. This policy is based the Concussion Management and Awareness Act that will go into effect on July 1, 2012 for all public schools and charter schools. The items listed below are required for school districts to be in compliance with the law. Some of the items are specifically spelled out in the law and others have been recommended by the State Education Department and the Department of Health and approved by the State Education Department
The Concussion Management Team
The concussion management team shall guide, implement and periodically review the program. The team will include the following individuals:
Director of Physical Education, Athletics and Health services
School Nurse
School Chief Medical Officer (School Physician)
Athletic Trainer
Coach
Advisors/Directors of all extracurricular activities
Such individuals as may be directed by the Superintendent of Schools
Parent and Student Awareness of Concussion Management
A Student and Parent information letter will be sent to all parents with children in the district. Information will be presented during pre-season coach’s players meetings and first day of physical education classes.
Concussion Training
Each school coach, physical education teacher, nurse, and athletic trainer will have to complete an approved course on concussion management on a biennial basis 2 yrs.).
School coaches and physical education teachers must complete the Center for Disease Control Online Concussion Training for Coaches course. www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/online_training.html.
School nurses and certified athletic trainers must complete the Preventing Concussion course. http://preventingconcussions.org
At the completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate to verify that they have completed the course. A copy of the certificates will be sent to the Director of HPEA to be kept on file.
Removal from Athletics
Require the immediate removal from athletic activities of any pupil that has or is believed to have sustained a mild traumatic brain injury. No athlete demonstrating symptoms of concussion should return to practice or play (RTP) the day of injury. RTP should be on a following day after appropriate neurological testing and the school physician’s clearance. Close observation of athlete should continue for a few hours. Parents or guardians of the athlete should be made aware of proper protocol, symptoms to watch for and contact medical personnel if concerned.
On Field Evaluation
During practices and contest, athletes demonstrating signs and symptoms of a concussion should be evaluated by the coach and/or athletic trainer and then if determined to have a possible concussion athlete should not be permitted to continue any activity at which the athlete must follow all protocols and procedures as outlined in this policy. The concussion checklist must be filled out immediately with copies to be provided to the school nurse and Director HPEA.
Physical Education
Physical Education must report to the nurse any student exhibiting the signs and symptoms of a head injury. Any student, including athletes, who were reported to the nurse as exhibiting signs and symptoms of a head injury must be out of physical education class for a minimum of seven days and must have physician’s note to return to class as well as clearance from the School Chief Medical Officer.. If the student is on an athletic team must follow the return to play protocol.
Return to Play (RTP)
No pupils will be allowed to resume athletic activity until they have been symptom free for 24 hours and have been evaluated by and received written and signed authorization from a licensed physician. Clearance must also come from the School Chief Medical Officer. Such authorization must be kept in the pupil’s permanent heath record. Schools shall follow directives issued by the pupil’s treating physician, unless otherwise directed by the School Chief Medical Officer.
The cornerstone of proper concussion management is rest until all symptoms resolve and then a graded program of exertion before return to sport. Therefore, once a student has been cleared by the School Chief Medical Officer, a six step program must be followed. The program is broken down into six steps in which only one step is covered a day. The six steps involve the following:
1. No exertional activity until asymptomatic for seven consecutive days.
2. Light aerobic exercise such as walking or stationary bike, etc. No resistance training.
3. Sport specific exercise such as skating, running, etc. Progressive addition of resistance training may begin.
4. Non-contact training/skill drills.
5. Full contact training in practice setting.
6. Return to competition
If any concussion symptoms recur, the athlete should drop back to the previous level and try to progress after 24 hours of rest.
Adopted:8/27/2012