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OHSAA board approves updated policy for
concussions
submitted by Tim Strieb
ohsaa.org
The board approved an updated OHSAA policy for concussion management.
In December 2012, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed into law House Bill
143, which legislates concussion prevention, recognition and management
and includes many of the same policies that the OHSAA already mandated.
The law, which goes into effect April 26, 2013, adds several aspects to
previous OHSAA regulations. To be fully compliant with the law,
modifications have been made to the OHSAA’s concussion policy. Among
the changes is that no student who exhibits symptoms of a concussion
shall be permitted to return to play on the same day he/she was
removed. (Previously, an authorized medical professional could approve
a student to return to play on the same day if it was deemed that no
concussion was sustained.)
The following is the OHSAA policy on concussions:
Notwithstanding the leading role that the Ohio High School Athletic
Association has played in the area of developing policies concerning
concussion prevention, recognition and management, in December of 2012,
Ohio’s Governor Kasich signed into law legislation that was passed by
Ohio’s 129th General Assembly which incorporated much of what the OHSAA
regulations previously mandated. This law adds several aspects to
previous OHSAA regulations. Therefore, in order to be fully compliant
with this law as signed by our Governor, modifications have been made
to OHSAA policy. These modifications are set forth in these updated
Concussion Regulations.
It is important for all individuals involved in interscholastic
athletics to recognize the potential for catastrophic injury and even
death from concussions. Thus it is extremely important that each coach,
administrator, contest official and medical support personnel review
their responsibilities in protecting students. Further both students
and parents have responsibilities in this area as well.
Note: It has always been the ultimate responsibility of the coaching
staff, in all sports, to ensure that students are only put into
practice or contests if they are physically capable of performing.
However, all individuals involved in the conduct of interscholastic
competition have responsibilities in this endeavor.
In January 2011, the OHSAA Board of Directors adopted a sports
regulation which incorporated the National Federation of State High
School Associations (NFHS) playing rules related to concussion
recognition and management. On April 26, 2013, legislation adopted by
Ohio’s General Assembly on concussion and head injuries in youth sports
became effective. On February 14, 2013, the OHSAA Board of Directors
mandated that these regulations become effective on April 26, 2013 for
the remainder of the spring sports season and thereafter. This OHSAA
regulation, as amended to incorporate this recent legislation, now
reads: Any student, while practicing for or competing in an
interscholastic contest, who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors
consistent with having sustained a concussion or head injury (such as
loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance
problems) shall be immediately removed from the practice or contest by
either of the following:
1) The individual who is serving as the student’s coach during that
practice or competition.
2) An individual who is serving as a contest official or referee during
that practice or competition.
Final for Board Approval – February 14, 2013
RETURN TO PLAY PROTOCOL
If a student is removed from practice or competition due to a suspected
concussion or head injury, the coach or referee who removes the student
shall not permit the student, ON THE SAME DAY THE STUDENT IS REMOVED,
to return to that practice or competition or to participate in any
other practice or competition for which the coach or contest official
is responsible. Thereafter, which means no earlier than the next day,
the coach or contest officials shall not permit the student to return
to practice or competition until both of the following conditions are
satisfied:
1) The student’s condition is assessed by either of the following: a. A
physician, who is a person authorized under Chapter 4731 of the Ohio
Revised Code (OCR) to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic
medicine or surgery (M.D. or D.O.)
b. Any other licensed health care provider that the school district
board of education or other governing authority of a chartered or
non-chartered nonpublic school, authorizes to assess the student who
has been removed from practice or competition.
2) The student receives written authorization that it is safe for the
student to return to practice or competition from a physician or other
licensed health care provider authorized to grant the clearance. Click here to retrieve the OHSAA’s Medical Authorization
to Return To Play (RTP) form.
A school district board of education or governing authority of a
chartered or non-chartered nonpublic school may authorize a licensed
health care provider who is NOT a PHYSICIAN to make an assessment and
grant authorization for a student to return to participation ONLY if
the provider is acting in accordance with one of the following as
applicable to the provider’s authority to practice in Ohio:
1) In consultation with a physician;
2) Pursuant to the referral of a physician;
3) In collaboration with a physician, or
4) Under the supervision of a physician.
Note: A physician or other licensed health care provider who makes an
assessment or grants clearance for a student to return to participation
may be a volunteer.
For more information, click here
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