Administrative Procedure 314: CONCUSSIONS
Background
The Division is committed to the health, safety and overall well-being of its students and staff. Students and staff who are supported in a healthy environment are better able to fulfill the division education goals.
Research demonstrates that a concussion can have a significant impact on a student – cognitively, physically, emotionally, and socially. A concussion may be caused by a blow to the head, face or neck that causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull. A concussion can occur even if there has been no loss of consciousness. Awareness of the signs and symptoms of concussion and knowledge of how to properly manage a diagnosed concussion is critical in a student's recovery and is essential in helping to prevent the student from returning to learning or physical activities too soon, risking further complications.
The components of this Administrative Procedure (AP) includes:
- strategies to develop an awareness of the seriousness of concussions;
- strategies for the prevention and identification of concussions;
- management procedures for diagnosed concussions; and
- training for school staff
Definitions
Concussion:
- brain injury that causes changes in how the brain functions, leading to symptoms that can be physical (e.g. headache, dizziness), cognitive (e.g. difficulty concentrating or remembering), emotional/behavioural (e.g. depression, irritability) and/or related to sleep (e.g. drowsiness, difficulty falling asleep);
- may be caused either by a direct blow to the head, face or neck, or a blow to the body that transmits a force to the head that causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull;
- can occur even if there has been no loss of consciousness (in fact most concussions occur without a loss of consciousness); and,
- cannot normally be seen on X-rays, standard CT scans or MRIs.
Note: It should be noted that if an individual suffers a second concussion before he or she is free from symptoms sustained from the first concussion, it may lead to “Second Impact Syndrome.” “Second Impact Syndrome” is a rare condition that causes rapid and severe brain swelling and possibly death.
School Staff: school staff includes administration staff, teaching staff, support staff, coaches, volunteers, etc. who are responsible for supervising student activities.
Procedures
- Prevention and Minimizing the Risk of Concussions:
- All staff and volunteers will take a preventative approach when dealing with concussions.
- Participants will be provided with concussion-related information prior to participation in extra-curricular activities.
- Participants will be provided with concussion-related information prior to participation in extra-curricular activities.
- All staff and volunteers will take a preventative approach when dealing with concussions.
- Responsibilities
- Superintendent or designate will:
- Ensure that this AP and supporting documentation, including concussion prevention, identification and management information is current and available on the division website.
- Ensure that this AP and supporting documentation, including concussion prevention, identification and management information is current and available on the division website.
- Principal will:
- Oversee that the student’s registration records are complete and reviewed prior to student participation in any physical activity, physical education class, off-site activity, school intramural program, or interschool program.
- Ensure staff, volunteers, parents/guardians, and students are aware of this AP for Concussions and understand their roles and responsibilities
- Distribute to parents the following information annually
- Ensure this AP is followed by all school staff (including substitute staff/support staff, recess supervisors), parents/guardians, students, and volunteers.
- Facilitate the completion of concussion training modules through the Alberta Schools' Athletic Association by staff and coaching volunteers, and repeat as necessary.
- In the event of an incident involving head trauma:
- Ensure that all incidents are documented and reported as required by this AP.
- Prior to students return to school, ensure that a doctor's note clearing the student for a return to full activity is provided.
- Alert appropriate staff about students with a suspected or diagnosed concussion.
- Work as closely as possible with students, parents/guardians, staff, volunteers, and health professionals to support concussed students with their recovery and academic success.
- For students who are experiencing difficulty in their learning environment as a result of a concussion, coordinate the development of an IPP.
- Attempt to obtain parental/guardian cooperation in reporting all non-school-related concussions.
- School Staff will:
- Understand and follow this AP for Concussion.
- Complete concussion training modules as assigned
- Ensure that the ASBIE Off-site Guidelines and Procedures Manual is being followed and implement risk management and injury prevention strategies specific to each sport/activity.
- Be able to recognize signs, symptoms and respond appropriately in the event of a suspected concussion.
- Be familiar with the resources:
- If a concussion is suspected:
- Send Concussion Recognition Tool information home to parent/guardian.
- When a student concussion has occurred
- Fill out the Student Incident Report. Provide parents with Concussion Information.
- This should be done in conjunction with the school principal.
- In addition to the above, coaches, whether school staff or community volunteers, will:
- Ensure the Acknowledgement of Risk and Informed Consent Form has been adequately administered and signed by parents where required, for each athletic season, prior to students participating in Interschool Athletics.
- Provide the following resources to parents and students as educational and treatment information as required:
- Parents/Guardians will be expected to:
- Reinforce concussion prevention strategies with their child (e.g. following rules of fair play, playground safety rules, wearing properly fitted helmets, using equipment safely).
- Understand and follow parent/guardian roles and responsibilities in this AP.
- In the event of a suspected concussion:
- Ensure the child is assessed as soon as possible by a medical doctor.
- Be responsible for the completion of all required documentation.
- Collaborate with the school to manage suspected or diagnosed concussions.
- Follow physician recommendations to promote recovery.
- Cooperate with the school to facilitate concussion diagnosis and treatment.
- Report any non-school related concussion to the principal.
- Students will be expected to:
- Learn about concussions, including prevention strategies, signs and symptoms, concussion management and student roles and responsibilities, through the applicable curriculum, and safety lessons connected to personal safety and injury prevention.
- Immediately inform school staff of suspected or diagnosed concussions occurring during or outside of school.
- Inform school staff if they experience any concussion-related symptoms (immediate, delayed or reoccurring).
- Remain on school premises until parent/guardian arrives if a concussion is suspected.
- Follow concussion management strategies as per medical doctor's direction.
- Communicate concerns and challenges during the recovery process with school lead, school staff, parents/guardians, and health care providers.
- Superintendent or designate will:
Reference
Section 31,32,33,52,53,196,197,204,222,225 Education Act
Alberta School Boards’ Insurance Exchange (ASBIE) Bulletin July 2016 – Concussion Incidents
ASBIE Off-Site Guidelines and Procedures Manual
Approved: August 7, 2019
Appendix
Concussion Guidelines for the Athlete
Concussion Guidelines for Coaches & Trainers
Concussion Guidelines for Teachers
Concussion Guidelines for Parents & Caregivers
A Parent’s Guide to Dealing with Concussions
Pocket Concussion Recognition Tool