• CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES

    GOAL: To assess severity of injury and to guide the safe return to participation in sports and physical education.

    Since medical information regarding concussions has changed dramatically, the Eastchester School District has adopted the following procedure for Concussion Management.

    In the event of a suspected concussion, the following steps must be taken:

    1. Student is removed from activity immediately if there is a suspected concussion. Staff witnessing injury completes accident/incident report within 24 hours and submits to nurses’ office.
    2. Staff /Parent/Guardian notifies the Health Office ASAP.
    3. If there is a suspected concussion, a medical note must be provided to Health Office after initial evaluation by student’s physician including any academic adjustments if needed.
    4. If the student’s private physician finds there is no concussion after an evaluation, the student may return to activity after providing a note specifying the student never sustained a concussion.
    5. If concussion is diagnosed, nurse advises athletics, teachers and guidance counselor that student may not participate in sports/PE/recess.
    6. If there is physician recommendation for academic adjustments, the nurse contacts the guidance counselor.
    7. Guidance counselor communicates to teachers any academic adjustments and contacts teachers on a weekly basis for updates.
    8. When cleared by their physician, student athletes retake the Impact test if baseline is on file.
    9. Final determination as to when a student/athlete may return to participating in sports/PE/recess shall be made by the Health Office, under the supervision of the district physician, after completion and review of all information.

    Student/Athlete may participate in the Gradual Return to Play Plan to resume sports/PE/recess when approved by the Health Office based on the following guidelines:

    A. First Concussion

    • Under no circumstances can an athlete who sustained a concussion participate in school sports/practice/ game/PE until there is no presence of symptoms for a 24 hour period, an IMPACT test is completed and the 5 day return to play protocol is followed. (See attached Signs, Symptoms, and Behaviors of a Possible Head Trauma.)

    B. Second or Multiple Concussions:

    • Will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may require more advanced testing.
    • All medical, health-related or clearance letters must be submitted to the Health Office.
    • At any time, if a student presents with ongoing symptoms, the school nurse or Medical Director can question any physician clearance note regarding activities.
    • Should there be any resurgence of symptoms, a re-evaluation by the student’s physician may be necessary

    SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND BEHAVIORS OF A POSSIBLE HEAD TRAUMA

    1. Problems in Brian Function
    a. Confused state—Dazed look, vacant stare, confusion about what happened or is happening.
    b. Memory problems—Can’t remember assignment on play, opponent, score of game, or period of game. Can’t remember how or with whom he or she traveled to the game, what he or she is wearing, what was eaten for breakfast, etc.
    c. Symptoms reported by athlete—Headache, nausea, or vomiting, blurred or double vision, oversensitivity to sound, light or touch, ringing in the ears, feeling foggy or groggy.
    d. Lack of sustained attention—Difficulty sustaining focus adequately to complete a task or a coherent thought or conversation.

    2. Speed of Brain Function: Slow response to questions, slow slurred speech, incoherent speck, slow body movements, slow reaction time.

    3. Unusual Behaviors: Behaving in a combative aggressive or very silly manner, or just atypical for the individual. Repeatedly asking the same question over and over. Restless and irritable behavior with constant motion and attempts to return to play or leave. Reactions that seem out of proportion and inappropriate. Changing position frequently and having trouble resting or finding a comfortable position. These can be manifestations or post-head trauma difficulties.

    4. Problems with Balance and Coordination: Dizzy, slow, clumsy movements, inability to walk a straight line or balance on one foot with eyes closed.