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Concussion policies move into effectAug 12, 2011 (Odessa American - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- ODESSA, Texas -- The Texas Legislature has changed the way schools handle the treatment of athletes who suffer concussions. Effective Sept. 1, House Bill 2038 mandates that any student-athlete suffering from concussion symptoms must be removed from play immediately and evaluated by a licensed physician. "If they've had a concussion, they're out,' Midland High head trainer Jeff Pulley said. "There is no coming back into the contest." In compliance with the law, the UIL requires that a student-athlete be symptom-free for 24 hours before beginning the process required to return to play. Per House Bill 2038, the same student-athlete must also have a signed note from a physician declaring the athlete is symptom-free. "They put those laws in place for good reason," Permian head football coach Gary Gaines said. "I don't practice medicine, and people above my pay grade should make the decisions on whether kids can play or not." From there, the athlete's progress is monitored by a concussion oversight team, which is required by law to contain at least one licensed physician and another medical professional. ECISD policy requires that concussion oversight teams in Odessa will be made up of a physician, an athletic trainer and the school's nurse. According to UIL policy, a student-athlete must progress through five steps under the supervision of the concussion oversight team. Beginning with light aerobic exercise, an athlete must complete moderate aerobic exercise, a non-contact training session in full uniform and a full-contact practice before moving on to the final step, full game play. "The law is not too far from what we at Permian have done in the past," Panthers trainer Randel Vaughn said. "We've always held the kid out until they are symptom-free, and then we start the process of bringing them back." A student-athlete must wait 24 hours after completing one step before attempting the next, and if the athlete exhibits post-concussion symptoms at any point during the process, the system reverts to the point of original diagnosis. At that point, an athlete must be seen again by a licensed physician. "Even if a kid clears up in 15 minutes, it doesn't mean nothing is wrong with him," Vaughn said. "It only means the initial symptoms have cleared. He could still have problems." Sometimes called Natasha's Law, House Bill 2038 is designed to protect students from the long-term risks of multiple concussions. Former Texas State soccer player Natasha Helmick was forced to quit the sport after sustaining five concussions in four years of high school competition. Under House Bill 2038, no coach or parent can make the decision to allow a student-athlete to return to competition. All schools must follow the UIL's policy. To see more of the Odessa American, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.oaoa.com. Copyright (c) 2011, Odessa American, Texas Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. |