COFFMAN ATHLETICS

Athlete Health Care Program

Athlete Injury Procedures

Athletic Trainers

Carol Swaney
Pam Stotts

 Team Physician

Dr. Robert Whitehead

Injured Athlete Procedures

Injury Reporting Procedure

1. Athletes are to first report practice injuries to the coach then report to the athletic trainer.  All injuries and health concerns must be reported to the athletic trainer.  Medical referral will be coordinated through the athletic training staff.

2. In the absence of the athletic trainer, the coach will initiate early first aid care.  The coach will notify the athletic trainer of all injuries within 24 hours of the injury incident.

3. Injured athletes are expected to continue attendance to practice and games during the treatment and recovery period.

4. Parents are encouraged to contact the athletic training staff regarding any questions or concerns related to their child’s injury and care.

5. All athletes missing practice(s) and/or game(s) due to injury or illness must notify the coach directly prior to that practice or game.

6. Game dress for injured athletes will be directed by each head coach.

Taping/Bracing Policy

1. Tape is a medical treatment tool with a specific therapeutic purpose.  Appropriate use of tape for injury care will be directed by the athletic trainer.  Tape will not be made available for non-injury use.

2. Ankle taping will occur for two weeks following an acute ankle injury.  At this time it will be the responsibility of the athlete to purchase commercial ankle braces for ongoing injury management.  Ankle braces may be purchased for ankle injury prevention or ankle injury history if desired by the athlete.

3. The Athletic Training Staff is available to advise parents on purchase and use of various bracing, splinting and supportive devices beneficial to injury care and prevention.  Some braces are available through the training room at a discounted rate.  See your athletic trainer for information.

Medical Referral for Injuries

1. The Coffman Athlete Health Care Program is not designed to replace the family physician or dictate medical care.  The choice of healthcare provider and initiation of medical referral always remains at the discretion of the parents.

2. Your family physician should be contacted if:  problems develop with an injury, the condition worsens or the condition persists for an extended period of time.  It is important that injured athletes return to the training room for reevaluation and report any new or remaining problems.

3. Parents have access to the services of the Coffman Team Physician staff who supervise all care provided by the athletic training staff.

Team Physician                    Dr. Robert Whitehead

Team Dentist                        Dr. Tim Edwards

4. All athletes evaluated by their family physician must provide a note from the physician indicating the type of injury, course of treatment and participation status.  The note should be given to the athletic trainer promptly after physician visit.  Standardized physician evaluation forms are available in the training room.

5. All significant head injuries MUST be evaluated by a physician prior to clearance to participate.  A note clearing the athlete is essential for practice re-entry.

 Return to Activity Following Injury  

1. All athletes who have been removed from activity by the athletic trainer and referred for physician evaluation MUST provide a note from the consulting physician prior to re-entry into the activity.

2. All athletes who have been removed from activity, or placed on limited activity by a physician MUST present a current note from the physician clearing the athlete to re-enter activity.

3. A physician’s note “clearing the athlete to full go” is recognized ONLY as a release to begin a gradual transition period back to full game activity.  This transition time period is designed to monitor the existing condition and assure safe return to intense and demanding game situations.

4. Injured athletes are expected to continue a rehabilitation/strength maintenance program on the injured area following return to play to avoid re-injury.  This is also required if the athlete is to continue practice.  These programs will be coordinated through the training room.

5. The athletic trainer determines Return to Activity Clearance using specific protocols established by the supervising team physician staff.

 Adolescent Athlete Protective Care Policy

1. No member of the athletic training staff or coaching staff may clear an athlete to participate if a physician has removed the athlete from activity.

2. No member of the coaching staff can clear an athlete to participate if the athletic trainer has removed the athlete from activity.

3. Following physician clearance for return to activity, if clinical evidence, rehabilitation progression or new injury information indicates the athlete is a continued risk for injury, it is the responsibility of the athletic training staff to protect the health of the athlete.  The athlete is to be held from activity and referred back to the family physician or referred to the team physician for further advisement.

4. The team physician, attending physician, athletic trainer, coach or parent may withhold an athlete from re-entering activity if it is considered to be in the best interest of the individual’s health.  This policy allows those with specialized knowledge to act as a safety net, thereby optimizing the protection afforded the individual adolescent athlete.

Administration of Medications

The regulation and administration of prescription and OTC medications during extra-curricular/athletic activities is to follow specific school procedures.  Written request must be obtained from the physician and the parent/guardian.  Forms are available in the school nurses office.  This procedure applies to any medication that may be self administered or any medication administered under the supervision of school personnel.  Duplicate forms must be filed if medications are to be taken during the school day and during extra-curricular athletic activities.

 Self administration of medication by inhaler requires completion of the appropriate forms.

Coffman Athlete Health Care Physician Staff

Dr. Robert Whitehead
Dr. Tom Baker

For further information, please contact: 

Carol Swaney, LATC
Head Athletic Trainer

614-764-5916

Swaney_carol@mail.dublin.k12.oh.us

Pam Stotts, LATC
Assistant Athletic Trainer

614-764-5945

Stotts_pam@mail.dublin.k12.oh.us

 *Policy contained in this brochure are also included in the Student Handbook and updated regularly

REV 8/05