Concussion Managment
Safety in Youth Sports Act becomes Law in Pennsylvania
Govenor Corbett signed the Safety in Youth Sports Act in a ceremony at Lower Dauphin High School, Dauphin county. The state General Assembly passed it on November 1. The legislation is Senate Bill 200, introduced by Sen. Patrick M. Browne (R-Lehigh). It was shepherded through the House by Rep. Timothy P. Briggs (D-Montogomery), who had introduced the companion bill, House Bill 200.
This bill establishes standards for managing concussions to student athletes. In order to return to play the athlete must be cleared by a licensed psychologist trained in neuropsychology, by a physician who is trained in the evaluation and management of concussions, or by certain other health care providers under the supervision of the physician. The Pennsylvania Psychological Association's advocacy was instrumental in this bill's passage. The association's past president, Dr. Mark Hogue stated, "This new law will be extremely important to any athlete who suffers a concussion. Athletes who return to play prematurely are at risk of a second concussion, which can be life-threatening." Dr. Hogue is a clinical and sport psychologist from Erie.
The bill will require the state Departments of Health and Education to develop and post on their websites information on the nature of concussions in athletic activities and the risks associated with continuing to play or practice after a concussion. Student-athletes and their parents or guardians must sign an acknowledgment of receipt of an information sheet on concussions prior to participation in athletics. It will require coaches to complete a concussion management certification training course before coaching any athletic activity. During an athletic contest coaches will be required to remove athletes from competition if they exhibit signs of a concussion.
The legislation will become effective on July 1, 2012, in time for the next school year. It does not pertain to private schools, but only to public schools. It covers interscholastic athletics as well as other sports associated with a school entity, and includes cheerleadering, practices, and scrimmages.
Information for 2012-2013
1) Nature of Concussions and Risk
The State law in Pennsylvania regarding concussions states that any athlete exhibiting the signs and symptoms of a concussion or a traumatic brain injury must be removed from the game or practice and must be evaluated by the appropriate medical professional before returning to play.
A coach or parent may not return an athlete to play following a concussion, a written release from the above list of appropriate medical professional must be obtained.
Mandatory education is important for all athletes, parents and coaches regarding the signs and symptoms of a concussion or traumatic brain injury. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an excellent resource for Concussion in Sport and Injury Prevention and control. Information is available from the following sites:
2) Student-athletes and their parents or guardians must sign an acknowledgment or receipt of an information sheet on concussions prior to participation in athletics.
The newly revised PIAA Comprehensive Initial Pre-participation Physical Evaluation Form (CIPPE) is available by clicking here. Page 3 contains the requirement that parents acknowledge the risk of concussion and traumatic brain injury in sport and sign accordingly.
3) Coaches Concussion Management Certification Required
All coaches of interscholastic athletic teams, other coaches of sports associated with Hampton, and cheerleading sponsors will be required to take the online certification course sponsored by the NFHS.
For all coaches for the 2012-2013 school year, the course needs to be completed after July 1, 2012 and prior to August 1, 2012. The certificate of completion should be given to the athletic office to be kept on file by August 1, 2012. Any coach or sponsor not completing the course and having the certificate on file will not be permitted to coach.
Coaches hired after the August 1, 2012 deadline will be obligated to complete the course, and have it on file prior to the legal start date of that respective season. The certification is good for only one year, and must be taken again the following year after July 1, 2013.
The NFHS online course, “Concussion in Sports – What You Need to Know.” It is a complimentary online course designed to familiarize those associated with interscholastic athletics on the signs, symptoms, and treatment related to concussion in sports. The only requirement is a quick and easy registration at www.nfhslearn.com.
Additional Information
Return to Play
Hampton uses a 5 Step Return to play protocol that will be implemented for all Hampton athletes that suffer a concussion. Graduated return to play is used to safely return an athlete to participation and will be administered by the Licensed Athletic Trainers at Hampton (under the direction of a Licensed Physician). The return to play protocol will begin once the athlete is symptom free and returned to baseline level (if available). it is designed to increase the exertional activity under the supervision of the licensed athletic trainer. Each step must be completed while symptom free before return to play is considered.
If a concussion occurs out of season, either the PIAA physical form or the section 6/7 forms from the PIAA physical form must be completed to reflect clearance to return to play.
An athlete may not return to athletic participation until:
- Symptom free
- Cleared by licensed physician
- Return to baseline testing score if available
- Successfully complete the 5 step return to play protocol with the Hampton athletic trainers
Baseline Testing Information
Impact baseline testing is not mandatory and is not required to participate in a sport at Hampton School District. It is only one tool available to determine return to play following a concussion. A licensed physician will take many factors into consideration when returning an athlete to play following a concussion.
Impact baseline testing is available to all athletes at their own convenience and expense. Following are the places to obtain an Impact Baseline Test:
Allegheny Sports Medicine, Dr. Edward Snell – 412-359-8411
UPMC Sports Medicine – 412-432-3681
Pediatric Alliance North Hills Division – 412-364-5834
Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion
- Loss of consciousness
- Clear fluid from nose/ears
- Numbness/Paralysis
- Severe headache/Deep throbbing
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Loss of Coordination
- Ringing in the ears
- Blurred/Double vision
- Unequal pupil size
- No pupil reaction to light
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Convulsions/Tremors
- Sleepiness/Grogginess
- Behavior/Personality Changes
- Inability to remember events prior to injury
- Inability to remember events after the injury
- Sensitivity to Light/Noise
Click here for more information on signs, symptoms and treatment.
It is important to report all injuries to the certified athletic trainer, coach, or school nurse. An athlete with any of the previously listed signs or symptoms should be removed from practice and evaluated by the certified athletic trainer and/or team physician as needed. The athlete should not be given any medication within the first 24 hours, unless directed by a physician. The athlete should also be awakened every two hours throughout the night to monitor their symptoms, as well as, problem solving and critical thinking skills. If the athlete’s symptoms are altered, then he/she should be taken to the hospital to be evaluated by a doctor.
The athlete should not return to practice or conditioning until all symptoms have resolved and he/she has been cleared by a medical professional. Athletes who return to their sport, with symptoms of a concussion still present, are at a much greater risk of a second concussion or second impact syndrome which can be a life threatening injury.
Hampton Athletics Department
412-492-6389
2929 McCully Road
Allison Park, PA 15101
Note: The links provides access to sites that are independent of the Hampton Township School District. HTSD claims no responsibility for the linked site's content nor endorsement for featured products and/or services.
Department of Health Approved Regional Concussion Courses
Department of Health and PATS have combined efforts to educate on concussions and brain injuries and attached is the important information.
Click here.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Bill Passed into Law
Norristown, PA - To the applause of a school auditorium filled with families who have lost their children to sudden cardiac arrest and families whose children's lives have been saved by preventive heart screenings, Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law Rep. Mike Vereb's (R-Montgomery) HB1610, making Pennsylvania the first state in the country to enact a law protecting student athletes from the potentially fatal condition.
To read more click here.
