MEDICAL POLICIES & STUDENT-ATHLETE INJURIES:

Next Article

NJSIAA / AOSE ELIGIBILITY RULES:

All medical policies and forms for student-athletes can be found on PowerSchool Prior to the start of pre-season, the forms must be completed and signed on PowerSchool Once all forms have been submitted and approved by the school nurse and athletic trainer, every student-athlete will be allowed to participate in a sport According to NJSIAA bylaws, any student-athlete must have a physical completed by a family physician or the school's physician "within 365 days prior to the first practice session " Furthermore, "each student whose medical examination was completed more than 90 days prior to the first practice session shall provide a health history update of medical problems encountered since the previous medical examination "

The annual Athletic Forms include the following:

● Health History Update Questionnaire

● Sports-Related Concussion and Head Injury Fact Sheet

● NJSIAA Steroid/Drug Random Testing Policy

● Sudden Cardiac Arrest Pamphlet

● ImPact Testing Information Sheet and Consent Form

● Emergency Medical Authorization

● NJSIAA’s Opioid Use and Misuse Consent Form

● NJSIAA’s Opioid Education NJ Cares Video Acknowledgement Form

● Sports-Related Eye Injuries

Any injury sustained by an athlete during an AOSE sanctioned practice or interscholastic contest must be reported to the Head Coach immediately. This is the student-athlete's responsibility The Head Coach will then complete and submit an accident report to the Department of Athletics. Student-athletes who sustain an illness or injury during an athletic event or any other activity that necessitates a visit to the doctor, hospital, or primary care facility MUST obtain written clearance from that physician before returning to AOSE athletics. Before returning to play, the student-athlete MUST also be evaluated by AOSE's Athletic Trainer (Atlantic Health) for any medical injuries or conditions Please read through all of the medical protocols listed on AOSE's website, https://www.aosenj.org/athletics, as well as the Concussion Policy below

CONCUSSION POLICY:

Academy of Saint Elizabeth's Concussion Protocol for the Prevention and Treatment of Sports Related Concussions and Head Injuries:

Prevention:

All student athletes must obtain a computer-based pre-season baseline test through lmPACT. The school has purchased a subscription to lmPACT. Please visit our website to find the information for lmPACT testing.

1. Review of educational information for student athletes on prevention of concussions.

2 Reinforcement of the importance of early identification and treatment of concussions to improve recovery.

Student-athletes who are exhibiting the signs and symptoms of a sports related concussion or other head injuries during practice or competition shall be immediately removed from play and may not return to play that day.

Education:

All student-athletes who participate in interscholastic sports need to review the NJDOE Concussion and Head Injury fact sheet/NJSIAA Concussion Policy Acknowledgement Form This form is listed in each season’s Athletic Registration Paperwork and needs to be electronically signed by both the parent/guardian and student-athlete.

Possible Signs of Concussion:

(Could be observed by Coaches, Licensed Athletic Trainer, School Nurse)

1 Appears dazed, stunned, or disoriented

2 Forgets plays, or demonstrates short term memory difficulty

3 Exhibits difficulties with balance or coordination

4 Answers questions slowly or inaccurately

5 Loses consciousness

Possible Symptoms of Concussion:

(Reported by the student-athlete to Coaches, Licensed Athletic Trainer, School Nurse, Parent/Guardian)

1 Headache

2 Nausea/Vomiting

3 Balance problems or dizziness

4 Double vision or changes in vision

5 Sensitivity to light or sound/noise

6 Feeling sluggish or foggy

7. Difficulty with concentration and short-term memory

8. Sleep disturbance

9. Irritability

*Student athletes must be evaluated by a physician or licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion to determine the presence or absence of a sports related concussion or head injuries.

Suspected Concussion Protocol:

1 Immediate removal from competition or practice 911 should be called if there is a deterioration of symptoms, loss of consciousness, or direct neck pain associated with the injury

2 The student-athlete should be evaluated by the school's licensed healthcare provider who is trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.

3 School personnel (Athletic Director, Licensed Athletic Trainer, School Nurse, Head Coach, etc.) should make contact with the student-athlete's parent/guardian and inform him/her of the suspected sports related concussion or head injury

4. School personnel (Athletic Director, Licensed Athletic Trainer, School Nurse, Head Coach, etc ) shall provide the student athlete with AOSE's suggestions for management/medical checklist to provide their parent/guardian and physician or other licensed healthcare professional trained in the evaluation and management of sports-related concussions and other head injuries

5. The student athlete must receive written clearance from a physician trained in the evaluation and management of concussions that states the student athlete is asymptomatic at rest and may begin the graduated return to play protocol.