brain injury association of new jersey’s statewide campaign concussion in sports
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Brain Injury Association of NewJersey’s Statewide Campaign
Concussionin Sportswww.sportsconcussion.com
Brain Injury Association of New Jersey, Inc.
Our Mission:EducationOutreachPreventionAdvocacy Support Services
www.bianj.org
The Challenge
To have an agreement, a consensus, among all groups concerned with the health and well-being of young athletes about how to measure, monitor, and manage a concussion.
EndorsementsAmerican Academy of Pediatrics, New
Jersey ChapterAmerican College of Emergency
Physicians, New Jersey ChapterAthletic Trainer’s Society of New
JerseyBrain Injury Association of AmericaBrain Injury Association of New JerseyMedical Society of New JerseyNew Jersey Academy of Family
PhysiciansNew Jersey Advisory Council on
Traumatic Brain InjuryNew Jersey Association of Health,
Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
New Jersey Education Association New Jersey Emergency Medical
Services for Children Advisory Council
New Jersey Football Coaches Association
New Jersey Hospital AssociationNew Jersey Principals and Supervisors
AssociationNew Jersey SAFE KIDSNew Jersey School Counselors
AssociationNew Jersey State Interscholastic
Athletic AssociationNew Jersey State Safety CouncilNew Jersey State School Nurses
AssociationNew Jersey Trauma Center Council
Concussion in Youth Sports Program
Goals are:1. Know that a concussion is a brain injury
2. When playing sports, if there is any doubt the player has a concussion….Sit ‘Em Out!
3. All suspected concussions should be evaluated and monitored by health professionals
4. Take today’s information and develop an action plan in your setting
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A brain injury is an insult to the brain caused by an external physical force that may produce a diminished or altered state of consciousness, which may result in impairment of cognitive abilities, physical, behavioral or emotional functioning.
Traumatic Brain Injury in NJ
49,035 = Number of people treated in New Jersey emergency rooms for TBI
(NJ Discharge Data Collection System, Emergency Department (ED) Billing Data, 2003)
The Scope of the Problem
Estimates:Concussions in New Jersey
10,000 sports and recreation-related Traumatic Brain Injuries every year
25,000 to 75,000 unidentified sports-related concussions every year
(CDC Estimates based on similar proportions to national estimates)
The Scope of the Problem
Athletic Trainers Report:
5.1% of football players sustained a concussion during a season
.7% sustained a second concussion during
the same season BUT……
(Guskiewicz et al.2000)
47% had at least one concussion during the season.
35% had multiple concussions during the season.
(Langburt et al.2001)
Player’s Report Symptoms of Concussion
Athletes Want to…
STAY IN THE GAME!!
Concussion Facts
Most concussions do NOT involve loss of consciousness
A direct blow to the head, face, and neck can cause a concussion
An indirect blow elsewhere on the body can transmit an “impulsive” force to the head, causing a concussion
Defining Concussion
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Induced by mechanical forces
Immediately disrupts brain function
Physical Signs and Symptoms
Headaches
Dizzy or Lightheaded
Blurry Vision
Ringing in the Ears
Loss of Balance
Numbness or Tingling Sensations
Vomiting
Fatigue, Exhaustion
Difficulty Sleeping
Sensitivity to Light and Sound
Dilated Pupils
Slurred Speech
Cognitive and Emotional Signs & Symptoms
Confusion
Difficulty Focusing or Concentrating
Disorientation of Time & Place
Slower Rate to Processing Information
Memory Loss
Irritability
Anxiety
Easily Saddened or Upset
Sadness, Depression
Consequences can Affect:
Academics
Social Relationships
Behavior
Emotions
Other Factors to Consider Age of the child…
younger is not always better
Symptoms that persist for longer than 6-8 weeks
Cumulative effects of multiple concussions
Here’s What To Do: In Play
ANY DOUBT, SIT ‘EM OUT!!!
GO TO THE DOCTOR!!!
Sideline Assessment Basics
Knowledge of the signs and symptoms is critical
Remember that the person is more important then the score, the scholarship, or the roar of the crowd
Baseline Testing- A Cutting Edge Technology
Provides comparison based on pre and post concussion scores
Provides clinicians with a tool to determine safe return to play
Documents an athletes concussion history
Administrative Protocols Does your group have a system of
reporting/recording incidents? Who fills out the reports? Where are the forms kept? Who has access to the forms? Who receives copies of the forms?
Coach? Nurse? Athletic trainer? Parents? Who receives/retains Doctor’s notes?
Coach? Nurse? Athletic trainer? Parents
Home Information Sheet
WHAT GROUPS??
Parents Doctors Coaches Teachers Friends
Administrators Athletic Trainers School Nurses Recreational
Sports Leagues ATHLETES
When Can an Athlete Return to Play?
When medically cleared
No activity of any kind while still symptomatic, including headaches
Check on academic performance
Start out with light activity
If symptom free with light activity, progress to increased activity
ALWAYS respect the brain and the time it needs to heal
Tips for Helping the Student Monitor w/ checklist Reduce assignments Build in rest periods Give more time to
complete work Outline and order
steps for big tasks Give written
directions or template
Use notebook check off “to do” list
Write down schedules w/places, times, etc
Meet with Teacher to review home work at end of day
Inform school nurse, counselor
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1. Share what you know! A concussion is a brain injury and needs to be taken seriously.
2. When in doubt SIT ’EM OUT!
3. Take today’s information and develop an action plan in your setting.
For More Information:
Contact the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey Website: www.bianj.org Sports Concussion Website: www.sportsconcussion.com Phone: (732) 745-0200 Family Helpline (800) 669-4323