Moravian University Concussion Management Plan
Pre-Participation Testing
Our goal is to pretest all student athletes, who participate in higher risk sports, using the following during the pre-participation evaluation.
- ImPact baseline testing
- SCAT3 Baseline Balance Examination
- Concussion History Questionnaire
ImPact testing and balance examination will be done prior to their first year of participation. Concussion history questionnaire will be done each year of participation.
A concussion education program will be presented to all student athletes during the pre-participation evaluation process. The educational program will be presented through use of the NCAA Concussion Fact Sheet, NCAA video and a PowerPoint presentation. This program will consist of defining a concussion, physiological effects, signs and symptoms, and reporting process.
All student athletes will be required to sign a statement in which they accept the responsibility for reporting all injuries, illnesses and concussions to the medical staff.
Definitions
"A complex pathophysiologic process affecting the brain, induced by traumatic biomechanical forces, with a rapid onset of cognitive impairment that is self-limited and spontaneously resolves"
A concussion is a minor traumatic brain injury characterized by a rapid onset of cognitive impairment. Concussions are often difficult to detect since most don’t lead to a loss of consciousness or have other immediately recognizable symptoms. (NCAA)
On Field Evaluation
The SCAT 3 (Sport Concussion Assessment Tool) will be used on the sidelines as our evaluation tool.
Any athlete exhibiting sign and or symptoms consistent with a concussion (i.e. headache, confusion, dizziness, nausea) will be removed from activity and evaluated by the Athletic Trainer and or a physician. If an athlete is diagnosed with a concussion they will not be allowed to return to sport the same day and may not return to activity until cleared by the team physician or their designee.
Injury Follow Up
An athlete diagnosed with a concussion will be evaluated by the team physician. An ImPact test will be administered at the direction of the team physician. The team physician will determine if any additional testing is required.
The athlete will be followed daily on campus by an athletic trainer. The athletic trainer will evaluate the progress of the athlete using the SCAT 3 form. The athletic trainer will keep the team physician updated at too the athletes progress.
Return To Play
Once the athlete is asymptomatic for 24 hrs. they will be progressed through a rehab program. Once the athlete has successfully completed the rehab program, successfully completed the SCAT 3 balance examination, successfully completed a post symptom ImPact test and the team physician has cleared them, they will be allowed to return to their sport.
