- Injuries:
- Insurance:
THE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF HEAD INJURIES AND CONCUSSIONS IN CO-CURRICULAR ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES
A concussion is a head injury to the brain and concussions are serious. A concussion may be defined as the immediate and transient impairment of neurological function. It may be a consequence of an athlete's head striking an object (such as a floor or another head), an object striking the head (such as a ball, bat, stick, or another head), or as a result of a sudden change in the direction of the head and neck (such as in a whiplash type of injury). Concussions generally cause specific signs that can be observed by others and symptoms that are reported by the athlete. Recognition and proper management of concussions can prevent further injury and even death. Recognition and appropriate management of concussions requires coordinated effort of a number of people as outlined in M.G.L.c.111, section 222 and 105 CMR 201.00.
Notification of Parents of Suspected Head Injury or Concussion
A player's coach shall notify the students' parent in person, or by telephone, immediately following the practice or competition in which a player has been removed from play due to a suspected head injury, concussion, signs and symptoms of a concussion or loss of consciousness.
Annual training for coaches is required per 105 CMR 201.007 regarding the prevention and recognition of sports-related head injury, and associated health risks including second impact syndrome, utilizing the online course developed by the National Federation of High School Coaches located at this website:
http://www.nfhs.learn.com/electiveDetail.aspx?courseID=15000
Annual training for parent(s)/guardian(s) and students is included in the participation form. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and students must sign-off that they have read and understand the information found at:
http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/pdf/Parents_Fact_Sheet-a.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/pdf/Athletes_Fact_Sheet-a.pdf
ImPACT Testing:
All freshmen and junior student-athletes along with any student-athlete that is new to Foxborough High School Athletics are required to take an ImPACT Test prior to athletic participation.
What is ImPACT?
ImPACT is a computerized neurocognitive assessment tool to help licensed healthcare providers evaluate and manage a suspected concussion. ImPACT is the industry leader in concussion management and trusted by teams and organizations around the world.
ImPACT comes in two forms:
- Baseline Test - Administered by a licensed healthcare provider or a trained baseline administrator before the start of a sport season, school year, or other activity. Baseline scores are collected and stored on our privacy compliant servers. ImPACT Applications recommends re-administering the baseline test every two years.
- Post-Injury Test - Administered by a licensed healthcare provider when a concussion is suspected. Test results are compared to baseline scores and normative data scores as part of a healthcare provider's assessment of the injury. Multiple post injury tests may be given to an individual during the course of treatment and rehabilitation. (Source - ImPACT Applications, Inc)
Medical Clearance and Return to Play:
Each student who is removed from practice or competition and subsequently diagnosed with a concussion shall have a written graduated reentry plan for return to full academic and co-curricular athletic or marching band activities. The plan will be developed by the student's teachers, the student's guidance counselor, school nurse, certified athletic trainer, neuropsychologist if available or involved parent, members of the building-based support and assistance team or individualized education program team as appropriate and in consultation with the physician who is managing the student's recovery and will be responsible for clearing the student to return to academic and co-curricular athletic activities. The student must be completely symptom free and medically cleared in order to begin graduated re-entry to co-curricular athletic or marching band activities.
FORMS:
Report of Head Injury during Sports Season