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:
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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.
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Staff /Parent/Guardian notifies the Health Office ASAP.
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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.
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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.
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If concussion is diagnosed, nurse advises athletics, teachers and guidance counselor that student may not participate in sports/PE/recess.
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If there is physician recommendation for academic adjustments, the nurse contacts the guidance counselor.
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Guidance counselor communicates to teachers any academic adjustments and contacts teachers on a weekly basis for updates.
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When cleared by their physician, student athletes retake the Impact test if baseline is on file.
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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
