Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Guidelines and Procedures Regarding Concussions/Head Injuries

MCPS guidelines and procedures for student-athletes who sustain head injuries/concussions conform to recommendations by the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS), NFHS Sport Medicine Advisory Committee, and the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletics Association (MPSSAA) The MCPS plan includes four basic components that address four fundamental questions: Education (Why is it important to know about concussions and their potential consequences?) Recognition (How does one know when a player has suffered a concussion?) Responsibility (Who determines whether a player has suffered a concussion?) Procedures (What happens when a concussion is suspected or confirmed - when can a player return to practice or games?) A. Education Coaches MCPS coaches will: Receive training and instruction regarding head injuries in Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries, a course required for coaching certification at Maryland public schools. Complete annually the NFHS Coaches Education Course: Concussions in Sports What You Need to Know. This course is offered free, on-line, at www.nfhslearn.com. Receive and have available at all practices and contests an information sheet that provides a review of concussion symptoms and procedures. Receive and review MCPS Guidelines and Procedures Regarding Concussions/Head Injuries at school and system-wide coaches meetings. Inform parents and players of guidelines and procedures regarding concussions. Players/Parents Parents and players will: Receive links to websites that provide information regarding concussions, including links to the CDC and the NFHS, via the MPSSAA website (www.mpssaa.org). Receive an information sheet published by CDC on symptoms and procedures regarding concussions (Know Your Concussion ABCs A Fact Sheet for Parents). Receive MCPS Guidelines and Procedures Regarding Concussions/Head Injuries Receive an information card from the MPSSAA regarding concussion signs and symptoms. Receive verbal instruction from coaches regarding concussions at practices and parent preseason meetings. Indicate on the MCPS player/parent participation contract that they have reviewed safety and health-related information made available by the school system, including information about concussions.

B. Recognition In addition to completing the NFHS coaches education course on concussions, each coach will receive a reference card that includes 1) signs and symptoms to look for in assessing whether a concussion has occurred, 2) action plan/procedures to follow if a player is suspected of having suffered a concussion, 3) standard questions to ask when assessing a players condition, and 4) details on requirements for a student to return to play. C. Responsibility If a paramedic is assigned to a contest, the assigned paramedic makes the determination on whether the student may have suffered a concussion. In the absence of an assigned paramedic, the coach makes the determination on whether the student may have suffered a concussion. D. Procedures General: Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion shall be removed from the practice or contest and shall not return to play until cleared by an authorized health care provider the clearance must be signed. The players parents will be informed that their son or daughter may have suffered a concussion and will be advised to take their child to an authorized health care provider as soon as possible. No player may return to a contest or practice on the same day that he or she has sustained a concussion. Specific: 1. Coach removes student from practice or contest 2. Coach or designee calls 911 and/or students parent (Emergency cards should always be available) In instances when it is fairly clear that the student has suffered a concussion, call emergency personnel (911) and the students parents. In instances where the student displays only mild symptoms, call the parent, and ask whether the parent wants to come now and pick the student up, or whether to call 911. If the parent cannot be contacted, call the emergency contact person designated on the Emergency Medical Card 3. A coach (or adult) should remain with the student at all times until either a parent or emergency personnel arrive. A student should not be allowed to go home unless accompanied by a parent or an adult designated by the parent.

March 2013

4. Coach presents to the parent the MCPS form Parent Notification of Possible Head Injury/Medical Clearance From by Authorized Health Care Provider (Return to Play form). 5. Coach notifies the athletic director within 24 hours when a student has been removed from participation because of a potential concussion. 6. Coach completes and submits a Student Accident Report within 24-hours (or as soon as possible). Submit copy to the athletic director. Athletic director submits copies to the principal and school nurse. 7. When the student returns with the completed Medical Clearance Form indicating that it is safe for the student to return to play, the coach should give a copy of the completed form to the athletic director. Clearance Form/Authorized Health Care Provider Parents of students who are removed from a practice or contest because they exhibit signs or symptoms consistent with a concussion must have written medical clearance before they can return to play. The medical clearance will be indicated on a form provided by MCPS titled Parent Notification of Possible Head Injury/Medical Clearance Form by Authorized Health Care Provider. The form will be given to parents of players who have potentially suffered a concussion. The form will provide details of the injury, recommended precautions, and MCPS procedures on how the student can obtain clearance to resume activities with the team. The bottom of the form must be completed and signed by an authorized health care provider. Consistent with MPSSAA and COMAR interpretation, authorized health care providers include licensed physicians, certified physicians assistants under the supervision of a licensed physician, or certified nurse practitioners.

March 2013