Concussion Management Information

The Convent of the Sacred Heart has implemented a program to support the proper management of head injuries sustained during athletic activities. This protocol aids in identifying concussed athletes, outlines procedures for referral and follow-up treatment when a concussion is suspected, and details the return to play policy after a head injury.  Our goal is to safely return athletes back to athletic and academic activity after injury.

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that results in a rapid movement of the head and brain back and forth.  This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells.

On July 1st 2012, New York State mandated that all coaches, school nurses, and athletic trainers must complete a training course and be certified in concussion management. We assure you that our athletic and academic staff will be vigilant of any signs and symptoms after a potential head injury.

Recovery from head injuries will vary. Rather than emphasizing timelines, we utilize this protocol to focus our attention on a student-athlete’s symptoms, cognitive testing, and postural stability testing. We utilize tools such as symptom scales, MULES , and SCAT6 testing, which will assist our athletic trainer and physicians in evaluating and treating head injuries.

Only when the student-athletes' symptoms have resolved, they are caught up on school work, have received clearance by a physician, and have passed exertional testing with our athletic trainer do we begin progressing student-athletes back to full participation in athletic activities.  To ensure a safe recovery there will be communication between the parents, treating physician, school nurse, athletic trainer, and academic deans.

It is our goal at Sacred Heart to utilize the most recent and effective head injury prevention, identification, and return to play protocols in order to promote the safety of student-athletes. In an effort to promote education and awareness among our students, staff, and community we encourage you to review head injury information provided on our website. Finally, on behalf of Sacred Heart athletics we thank you for your support in the areas of injury prevention and treatment and believe this will continue to have a profound and positive effect on our developing athletes.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Chrissy Lee, Certified Athletic Trainer