The Athletic Health Care Team

PART I

Athletic Health Care Team Members

Athlete Parents Coaches EMT or Paramedic Doctors Athletic Trainer Physical Therapist Dentist or Oral Surgeon Optometrist Strength and Conditioning Coach Equipment Manager

Coachs Role on AHCT

Rules of legal system Rules of your school administration Expectations of parents Interact with AHCT members Have fun, improve skills, exercise, teamwork

Coachs Role on AHCT

9 Legal Definitions
1. Plan activity 2. Provide Proper Instruction 3. Warn of inherent Risks 4. Provide safe physical environment 5. Provide adequate and proper equipment 6. Match your athletes appropriately 7. Evaluate athletes for injury or incapacity and refer to ATC or appropriate health care provider: Do not go beyond scope of care! 8. Supervise activity 9. Provide appropriate emergency assistance

You & Parental Expectations in the AHCT

Will look to you for guidance Communication Role of parents Understand other AHCT members can help

Athletes of the AHCT

Buy into the health care system Preseason physicals Fitness screenings Conditioning Injury assessment & care Report injuries Adhere to restrictions

Parents of the AHCT

Ensure their child participates in:
preseason physical & fitness screening Conditioning Dont be a Helicopter Parent

Watch for injuries / illness & report them Support decisions by AHCT *YOU keep parents informed of possible injuries / illnesses to child

Emergency Medical Personnel and Paramedics of AHCT

Trained for emergency care Familiarize yourself with your local emergency medical personnel Volunteer vs. Contract Tournaments, contact events Once on the scene they take care of athlete unless C-spine immobilization is involved

Emergency Medical Personnel and Paramedics of AHCT cont.

YOUR role:
1. Provide information on how injury occurred & care given 2. Crowd control 3. Other tasks-Refer to EAP

Emergency Medical Personnel and Paramedics of AHCT cont.

IF NOT PRESENT: 1. Protect the athlete from further harm 2. Send for help (if needed) 3. Evaluate the injury w/in scope of care* 4. First Aid 5. Provide EMTs info. of MOI and care provided

Physicians of the AHCT

ATCs and Physicians work together to diagnose injuries / illnesses. Together they also prescribe treatment & rehabilitation.

Physicians of the AHCT cont

Types of Physicians: -Family practitioners -Pediatricians -Orthopedists -Ophthalmologists -Physiatrists -Podiatrists

Working with Physicians

Establish working relationship Assist with preseason screenings Medical coverage for home events Support recommendations made -May have 2nd opinions After evaluation by a Physician: -urge follow-up care

Certified Athletic Trainers (ATCs)

Nationally certified allied health professionals trained specifically in:
Prevention Evaluation/Diagnosis Treatment Rehabilitation of injuries

Must work under supervision of physician or referral Perform initial injury evaluation Return athletes safely back to participation Work at facility or contract out Help develop preseason conditioning Provide instruction for proper exercise techniques

Your Role Working with an ATC

Provide information on how the injury occurred Support the ATC decisions regarding the athletes care & ability to participate Encourage the athlete to be compliant in doing rehab. exercises

Physical Therapists (PTs)

Health professionals who rehabilitate individuals suffering from disease or injury Trained to handle:
Cerebal palsy Strokes Heart problems Paraplegia Burns Athletic injuries*-Separate Certification

Specialize

Your Roles Working with a PT

Provide info. of how the injury occurred Support the PTs decisions regarding the athletes care & ability to participate Encourage the athlete to be compliant in doing rehab. exercises

Dentists or Oral Surgeons

Trained to evaluate and treat conditions and injuries of the mouth, teeth, jaw Dentists education:
3-4 yrs of undergrad. 4 yrs of dental school

Oral Surgeons education:

Completed hospital surgical residency program for training in surgical treatment of conditions affecting the mouth, teeth, jaw, & portions of the face

Your Role Working with a Dentists or Oral Surgeon

Encourage athletes in contact sports to wear appropriate protective mouth pieces or face protectors

Optometrists
Not a medical doctor Special training & certification in diagnosing vision problems & eye disease Prescribe eye glasses, contact lenses, & drugs to treat eye disorders

Your Role Working with Optometrists

Encourage athletes in contact sports to wear appropriate protective eyewear or face protectors

Strength & Conditioning Coaches

Can help save you time Perform fitness assessments & develop specialized conditioning programs Certifications through National Organizations:
National Strength & Conditioning Association American College of Sports Medicine

Your Role Working With Strength & Conditioning Coaches

Insist that athletes attend fitness assessments and participate in all conditioning workouts

Equipment Managers
Oversee:
Inspection Cleaning Maintenance Storage Fitting

Enforce proper equipment usage In some programs, you are the equipment manager for your team

Your Role Working With an Equipment Manger

Help watch for wear and tear Enforce proper equipment use by your athletes
i.e.: no sitting on helmets Fit of equipment Maintenance Use for what it is intended for

Sport First Aid Game Plan

PART II

Sport First Aid Education

Continue with Certifications:
First Aid Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Automated external defibrillator (AED)

American Red Cross American Heart Association

Sport First Aid Education: Keeping Current

Always changing Sports medicine books, articles, forums, etc Keep certifications current
CPR & AED = 1 yr First Aid = 3 yr

Participate in mock drills

Sport First Aid Education: Recognizing Limitations

DO NOT ATTEMPT THE DUTIES OF A PHYSICIAN, ATC, PTetc.!!!!!! ONLY provide care that you are qualified for: Do not go beyond scope of care. You may assist medical personal

Keeping Athletes Health Records

You should have from each players:
Consent form Health History form Emergency Information form

Keeping Athletes Health Records: Consent Form

Cannot give care to a minor unless you have consent! Parent or Legal Guardian must complete & return Form informs parents, legal guardian, & athlete of:
possible risks of participation requests permission to treat the child in an emergency, illness, or injury situation

Keeping Athletes Health Records: Health History Form

Helps to determine predisposing health factors that could affect participation (Red Flags)
i.e.: diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, heart murmurs, allergies, skin conditions

If physician clears an athlete, you need:

Description of health problem List of Medications that the athlete may need Restrictions

Keeping Athletes Health Records: Emergency Information Card

Provides names & numbers of parents & guardians Alerts you of pre-existing medical problems that may affect medical treatment
Ie: allergies to medications (sulfur, penicillin)

Must be completed before the start of the season Copy should be with team at all times Reminder: this is confidential material and you may not distribute it without the permission of the athlete, parent, or guardian

Developing a Weather Emergency Plan

Helps prevent chaos Key items:
Weather decision maker Specific criteria for when to suspend activities Weather watcher Method for monitoring weather conditions Designated safe place Guidelines for resuming activity

Educate staff, athletes, & spectators

Checking Facilities & Equipment

It is still your responsibility for your athletes safety Equipment check prior to start of season First aid & ice cool must be present on sideline at all times
Only basic first aid items Stocking the First Aid Kit

**It is illegal for you to administer medication of any sort unless given written permission by parent or guardian!!!!

Getting Players Ready to Perform

To ensure the safety of your athletes complete the following:
Preseason physical exam Preseason screening Preseason conditioning Proper warm-up & cool-down Protective equipment, bracing, & taping Correct skill instruction Sound nutritional guidance Ban on horseplay

Getting Players Ready to Perform: Preseason Physical Exam

Require a physical exam Physician conducts the following exams: General health exam Circulatory Respiratory Neurological Orthopedic Vision Hearing Blood* Urine* Must be completed prior to in-season participation Become familiar with your athletes conditions

Getting Players Ready to Perform: Preseason Screening

Provides insight about athletes fitness Conduct during off-season (post & pre) Possible evaluation of:
Strength Flexibility Endurance Cardiovascular endurance Body composition Upper and lower body coordination

Have present:
ATC Strength Coach

Getting Players Ready to Perform: Preseason Conditioning

Start at least 6 wks prior to season Focus on:
Muscle strength Endurance Flexibility Power Speed needed for position/ sports

Getting Players Ready to Perform: Proper Warm-up & Cool-Down

Warm-up:
before workouts, practices, & competitions Prepares the body At least 15 min prior to activity
1. General body warm-up 2. Light calisthenics exercises 3. Sport specific drills

Getting Players Ready to Perform: Proper Warm-up & Cool-Down

Cool Down:
Performed at the end of workout, practice, or competition Reduce the intensity of activity
Brings HR, breathing back to baseline

May include walking or light jogging Include Stretching

Target each muscle group 2-5 min total

Getting Players Ready to Perform: Protective Equipment, Bracing, & Taping

Expert on how to properly fit & use your sports protective equipment-Coach? ATC? Equipment Manager? Instruct athletes how to properly wear their protective equipment-Coach? ATC? Equipment Manager? Conduct surprise inspections? What about protect bracing & taping? ATC!! This is not a FA skill (do not go beyond scope of care)
Is it mandatory?

Getting Players Ready to Perform: Correct Skill Instruction

Eval during preseason Inform athletes of possible risks
i.e.: diving head first in baseball/ softball

Proper tackling techniques

Decrease head & neck injuries

Getting Players Ready to Perform: Sound Nutritional Guidance

Encourage:
Balance meals Water consumption Sports drink Eating 3hrs prior to work out, practice, or competition Avoid junk food

Getting Players Ready to Perform: Ban on Horseplay

Establish rules on day one and follow them!
No exceptions!!!

Can lead to injury Could lead to inappropriate touching or behavior Distracting

Developing a Medical Emergency Plan

AKA Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Use for home & away events Activating the the Emergency Medical System (EMS):
Check, Call, Care
American Red Cross: 3 Cs

Location of phones Emergency phone numbers Directions Access points

Developing a Medical Emergency Plan: Check

Specify how you will evaluate the injured athlete Plans should address:
What to do first when you arrive at an injured athletes side Steps for evaluating conscious and unconsciousness Techniques for assessing breathing when an athlete's wearing a helmet or is lying face down

Developing a Medical Emergency Plan: Call

Indicate how to activate the EMS How do send for medical assistance Have a Plan:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Delegate the responsibility of seeking medical help Write out a list of emergency telephone numbers Take each athletes emergency information card to every practice and game Give an emergency response card to the contact person calling for emergency assistance Complete an injury report form & keep it on file

Developing a Medical Emergency Plan: Care

How will first aid be given? If Medical person are there = assist If Medical personal are not there = first aid to your qualifications

Handling Minor Injuries

Many dont require emergency medical attention Steps to monitor & evaluate
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Evaluate the injury Administer first aid Remove the athlete if there is pain or loss of function Contact athletes parents Suggest the athlete see a physician Complete injury report form

Handling Serious Injuries

Initiate your EAP
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Check athletes level of consciousness Send a contact person to Call EMS & athletes parents Send someone to wait for EMS to help open doors, gates, & direct Check the injury Administer first aid (Care) Assist emergency medical personal Appoint someone to go with athlete if parents are not available (assistant coach) Complete injury report form

INJURIES.or
QUESTIONS COMMENTS CONCERNS .Lets Hear It.