SMU Athletic Training: Concussion Policy

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CARDINAL ATHLETICS

(Implemented Fall 2005, Revised August 2010)
Per the NCAA Executive Committee Policy on Concussions implemented prior to the 2010-2011 academic year

“institutions shall have a concussion management plan on file such that a student-athlete who exhibits signs or symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion shall be removed from practice or competition and evaluated by an athletics healthcare provider with experience in the evaluation and management of concussion. Student-athletes diagnosed with a concussion shall not return to activity for the remainder of that day. Medical clearance shall be determined by the team physician or their designee according to the concussion management plan.

In addition, student-athletes must sign a statement in which they accept the responsibility for reporting their injuries and illnesses to the institutional medical staff, including signs and symptoms of concussions. During the review and signing process student-athletes should be presented with educational material on concussions.”

A copy of the institutions Concussion Management Plan is available in the athletic training room. Education regarding the Management plan will be provided for coaches and student-athletes on a yearly basis.

All student-athletes sustaining closed-head injuries will be evaluated, treated, referred, and cleared through the University Certified Athletic Training staff. Return-to-play parameters are established as a guide only and are subject to change depending on signs, symptoms, and clinical evaluation. However, under no circumstances will the guidelines to return to activity be shortened or decreased without the knowledge and approval of certified staff.

Some teams may have cognitive baseline testing performed prior to the start of the season. Once baseline testing is established an athlete will not have to undergo cognitive testing unless a closed-head injury should occur. Baseline testing gives objective information that is compared to post-injury data and can give better insight of an athlete’s overall condition. The test implemented as of August 2010 is the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 2 (SCAT2). Each test takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Return-to-play criteria will be based upon physician release, normal concussion assessment tests, and absence of signs and symptoms of concussion.

If at any time post-concussion symptoms come back the athlete will be removed from practice and competition until all signs and symptoms have resolved.