Concussion is an unavoidable risk of contact sports. Genesis Health System is concerned about the athletes in our community and wants to be involved in helping with the assessment, monitoring, education and treatment of sports related brain injuries.
A concussion is the result of a blow to the head that causes the brain to crash inside the skull. It is a mild traumatic brain injury. Initial symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea, sleepiness, impaired vision and other disruptions in brain function. Most athletes recover from a concussion without lasting impairments. However, an additional blow to the head, even a small one, before the first injury has healed can slow recovery and increase the likelihood of long-term problems. In rare cases, repeat concussions can result in brain swelling, permanent brain damage and even death. This more serious condition is called second impact syndrome. Protective gear such as helmets can only do so much to keep an athlete's brain from bouncing inside their skulls like the yolk inside an egg.
Genesis has developed a concussion management program and is pleased to be able to offer this program to teams. Genesis healthcare professionals have developed a comprehensive program based on current research. Our program follows the guidelines recommended by NCAA and the International Consensus on Concussion. Collaborating with Genesis in this program will allow the coach, parent and family doctor to make safe and objective decisions on the athletes readiness to return to play.
Genesis Concussion Management will offer baseline screening of balance and cognition using cutting edge, computerized technology to obtain each athlete's individual baseline or normal function. If an athlete suffers a concussion, the athlete will then be re-assessed post injury to discover deficits from baseline. The athlete can then be monitored (daily, if needed) to assess when the athlete is back to baseline. Balance will be assessed using the Neurocom Smart Balance Master®. The cognitive testing will be completed using the computerized Concussion Vital Signs® assessment.
Another advantage of using these tools is the ability to compare to normalized data. Baseline testing is the ideal. However, the availability of normalized data will also allow for the post injury testing of an athlete who did not undergo baseline testing.
Genesis cares greatly about protecting the athletes in our community. We would like to partner with your team to provide this service at a very minimal cost of $50 per athlete. For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please call 309-281-4740 in Illinois and 563-421-4170 in Iowa.