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Puyallup School District Concussion Policy

 

The Puyallup School District has adopted recommendations from the CDC for returning athletes to play after a concussion beginning with the 2013 season.  All athletes will need to have a concussion baseline test to record learning difficulties, balance problems, medical history and prior concussion history prior to the beginning of the season.  This is an every two year event, unless your athlete has had a concussion during that previous season.

 

This is not a pass/fail but rather, gives the medical staff a better picture of where the athlete is at the beginning of the season so that in the event of a concussion, there is a record of where the athlete was prior to any injury.  If the athlete suffers a concussion, they must be without any concussion symptoms (headache, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, etc) for AT LEAST 48 hours then they MUST go through a three-step exertional return to play protocol prior to being cleared for ANY physical activity (including PE) on Puyallup School District property.  

 

Research demonstrates that physical activity may worsen/prolong concussion symptoms so it is imperative that athletes do not have any symptoms prior to releasing them for full contact play.  

 

Research has also demonstrated that the first concussion will not harm the athlete but a second concussion prior to appropriately cleared can cause permanent brain damage, possibly death.  Please support your athlete and medical staff by cooperating with baseline testing (we use the NFL Baseline tool) and not rushing your athlete back into practice/play until they have been appropriately cleared.  

 

Please talk to Coach Anderson about this process if your Athlete has a concussion during the season.

 

Cyd Marckmann, ARNP

Nurse Practitioner