CHAPTER 2: ORGANIZING AND ADMINISTERING AN ATHLETIC HEALTH CARE PROGRAM

HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS  All must have policies and procedures for clear expectation

RULES IN ATHLETIC TRAINING FACILITY  1.No cleated shoes are allowed,  2.Game equipment is kept outside.  3.Shoes must be kept off treatment tables.  4.Athletes should shower before receiving treatment.  5.Roughhousing and profanity are not allowed.  6.No food or smokeless tobacco is allowed.

SANITATION IN ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM  Sweep floors daily.  Clean and disinfect sinks and built-in tubs daily.  Mop and disinfect hydrotherapy area twice a week.  Refill paper towel and drinking cup dispensers as needed.  Empty wastebaskets and dispose of trash daily.  Clean and disinfect treatment tables daily.  Clean and disinfect hydrotherapy modalities daily.  Clean and polish other therapeutic modalities weekly.

SANITATION OF ATHLETIC FACILITIES  Sweep the gymnasium floors daily.  Clean and disinfect drinking fountains, showers, sinks, urinals, and toilets daily.  Air out and sanitize lockers frequently.  Clean wrestling mats and wall mats daily.  Urge the use of clean dry towels each day for each individual athlete.  Issue individual equipment and clothing to each athlete to avoid skin irritations.  Do not allow swapping of equipment and clothing.  Launder and change clothing frequently.  Allow wet clothing to dry thoroughly before the athlete wears it again.

RECOMMENDED HEALTH PRACTICES CHECKLIST  Are the athletes medically cleared to participate?  Is each athlete insured?  Do the athletes promptly report injuries, illnesses, and skin disorders to the coach or the athletic trainer?  Do the athletes practice good daily living habits of resting, sleeping, and proper nutrition?  Do they shower after practice?  Do they dry thoroughly and cool off before departing from the gymnasium?  Do they avoid drinking from a common water dispenser?  Do they avoid using a common towel?  Do they avoid exchanging gym clothes with teammates?  Do they practice good foot hygiene?  Do they avoid contact with teammates who have a contagious disease or infection?

EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN (EAP)  Posted at all athletic venues.  Outlines who does what in times of emergencies (injuries, weather emergencies, etc.)  Sample – handout  Sample - University emergency action planUniversity emergency action plan

RECORD KEEPING  Medical records  Injury reports  Treatment logs  Personal information cards  Injury evaluation and progress notes  Supply and equipment inventories  Annual reports

PREPARTICIPATION EXAMS (PPE)  Medical history - identify past or existing medical problems  Physical exam – assessment of height, weight, body composition, blood pressure, pulse, vision, skin, teeth, ears, nose, throat, heart and lung function, abdomen, lymphatics, genitalea, maturation index, urinalysis, blood work.  Maturity assessment – sexual maturity, skeletal, dental assessment (Tanner’s five stages of assessment – common)  Orthopedic screening (pg. 32) - may make recommendation for disqualification  NC high school sample - Physical ExaminationPhysical Examination  University sample - Physical ExaminationPhysical Examination

MEDICAL RECORDS  HIPAA – regulates access to records  FERPA – protects student education records  Keep past records on file about 7 years

BUDGET  Keep on file  Get quotes – compare direct buy to competitive bid  Equipment – fixed (stays in athletic training room – such as ice machine, therapeutic modalities, etc.) or not fixed (may be used outside the athletic training room – such as medical kits, scissors, etc.)

ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM  Ideally 1,000-1,200 square feet  Adjacent to locker rooms  Contain storage  Different areas – taping/bandaging, injury treatment using rehabilitation equipment, wet area, private evaluation area, office

Washington

Tuscarora High School, Virginia

Utah Football Center

Guilford College

HIRING AN ATHLETIC TRAINER  1. Hiring a certified athletic trainer in a faculty-trainer capacity. This is done in some other counties. Here in Forsyth County, the head athletic trainer cannot be a teacher.  2. Using a certified graduate student from a nearby college or university. There are certain guidelines to follow to get graduate students. A certified athletic trainer has to be on site and as a supervisor for the students.  3. School district employs a centrally place certified athletic trainer. This would not work with sports like football and wrestling where someone has to be present.  4. School contracts with a clinic to provide a certified athletic trainer. This is similar to what Forsyth County does. Baptist and Forsyth Memorial Hospitals originally started the contract system to get a certified athletic trainer in every high school.