Handbook for Athletics Trainers

8/24/2009

This handbook is a guide for conference athletic trainers when they host a conference event or visit another conference institution. By adhering to these policies, conference schools will provide athletic safety and effective injury care to all student athletes.

Section I – Sport Committee

The Conference Athletic Trainers will be chaired by the Head Athletic Trainer of the institution with the current Athletics Director liaison to the Athletics Trainers.

The committee chair conducts the annual meeting at the end of the academic year.

Section II – Professional Courtesy by Host Institution

  1. Before an event, the host athletic trainer will extend the following professional courtesies to the visiting athletic trainer and their team.
  2. In-person greeting by athletic training staff member or duly authorized representative, which may include a coach, with inquiry as to special requests or problems.
  3. Provide adequate space and tables for taping.
  4. Supply ice for injury care.
  5. Supply water and cups appropriate for the contest.
  6. Provide coverage for the event according to the attached coverage guidelines.
  7. Provide an ambulance or the telephone number and telecommunications device to summon emergency help.
  8. Make available AEDS, splints, crutches, knee immobilizers, cervical collars and blankets.
  9. During the event, the host athletic trainer will provide assistance to the visiting team when requested by the visiting coach and/or athletic trainer. In case of serious injury the host athletic trainer will coordinate emergency care.
  10. After an event, the host athletic trainer will be available to evaluate and provide treatment to visiting team athletes for a minimum of 30 minutes after the contest. The host athletic trainer will check the visiting team for any further needs. See attachment regarding community acquired MRSA infections.
  11. The host athletic trainer should contact the athletic trainer and/or the physician of the injured athlete requiring more than immediate first aide care.

Section III – Professional Courtesy – Visiting Athletic Trainer

  1. The visiting athletic trainer notifies the home athletic trainer in advance of the contest if the visiting team requires the host athletic trainer.
  2. If special medical care or equipment is needed for any athlete, the visiting athletic trainer calls the host athletic trainer at least 24 hours in advance concerning special needs.
  3. Visiting teams are expected to supply their own taping supplies and medical kit. Teams traveling without an Athletic Trainer must also have emergency contact and insurance information for their athletes.
  4. Modalities will be limited to superficial heat and cold, if available.
  5. During the event, the visiting athletic trainer or coach is responsible for requesting medical assistance from the host athletic trainer in case of serious injury to the athlete.
  6. After the event, the visiting athletic trainer or coach keeps all injured athletes who they believe should be evaluated together so that evaluation can take place promptly and efficiently. Take note of the attached guideline regarding community acquired MRSA infections.

Section IV – Championship Events

  1. When hosting a conference championship event, the host athletic trainer is responsible for coordinating all athletic training and emergency services. The host athletic trainer and conference commissioner will arrange for appropriate additional paid coverage if the host institution is unable to cover the event.
  2. The host director of athletics will establish compensation for athletic training services based on the local prevailing rates.
  3. Championship events that will be subject to the above guidelines include:

Baseball

Softball

M/W Tennis (individual tournaments)

M/W Cross Country

M/W Swimming

M/W Track and Field

Any championship where more than two institutions are playing at the same site.

Section V – Other Guidelines

  1. Each institution must follow the OSHA guidelines for blood borne pathogens
  2. Institutions should request hardship waivers for injured students after the season in which the injury occurred.
  3. The NCAA requires that all coaches be certified in CPR and first aide.
  4. The NCAA-required physical should be administered before an athlete participates in activities necessary for the sport.
  5. All NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook guidelines should be followed.

Athletic Training Event Coverage

To meet the need for standardized services the following sport classifications have been identified:

Full Contact: M. Lacrosse

Partial Contact: M/W Soccer; Field Hockey; M/W Basketball; Baseball; Softball; W. Lacrosse

Non-Contact: Volleyball; M/W Track & Field

Individual: M/W Cross Country; M/W Swimming; M/W Tennis

Coverage requirements are as follows:

Full Contact Sports: A certified athletic trainer must be on site. The team physician will be called at the discretion of the athletic trainer. An ambulance will be available, if necessary. Splints and crutches will be available. An AED is required to be on site.

Partial Contact Sports: A certified athletic trainer must be on site or available (availability is defined as no more than four minutes from the site of competition). Splints and crutches will be available.

Non-Contact Sports: A certified athletic trainer must be on site or available (availability is defined as no more than four minutes from the site of competition). Splints and crutches will be available.

Individual Sports: There will be first aid kits (to include emergency contact phone numbers), splints and crutches available. The certified athletic trainer will be no more than four minutes from the site of competition.

These are to be considered minimum coverage requirements. These requirements apply to traditional sport season only. In addition, it is recommended that an AED be within four minutes of each competition site.

Lightning Policy

The responsibility for the suspension of an intercollegiate athletic contest, due to the presence of lightning, is placed on the host athletic trainer in cooperation with game officials. The decision will be based on the NCAA and National Severe Storms Laboratory Guidelines. The safety and well-being of the student-athletes must be the primary concern of any decision.

Each institution must designate the nearest safe shelter for evacuation of teams and spectators. The location of safe shelters should be listed in the conference manual. Visiting teams should be informed of the location of the nearest shelter upon arrival at the competition site.

Community Acquired MRSA Infections

In an effort to educate the public about the potential risks of the emergence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant staphylococcus infection (CA-MRSA), the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) recommends that health care personnel and physically active participation take appropriate precautions with suspicious lesions and talk with a physician. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 25% to 30% of the population is colonized in the nose with Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to as “staph” and approximately 1% of the population is colonized with MRSA.

Cases have developed from person-to-person contact, shared towels, and soaps, improperly treated whirlpools, and equipment (mats, pads, surfaces, etc.) Staph or CA-MRSA infections usually manifest as skin infections, such as pimples, pustules and boils, which present as red, swollen, painful or have pus or other drainage. Without proper referral and care, more serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or surgical would infections.

Maintaining good hygiene and avoiding contact with drainage from skin lesions are the best methods for prevention.

Proper prevention and management recommendations may include, but are not limited too:

  1. Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and warm water or using an alcohol-based sanitizer routinely.
  2. Encourage immediate showering following activity.
  3. Avoid whirlpools or common tubs with open wounds, scrapes or scratches.
  4. Avoid sharing towels, razors, and daily athletic gear.
  5. Properly wash athletic gear and towels after each use.
  6. Maintain clean facilities and equipment.
  7. Inform or refer to appropriate health care personnel for all active skin lesions and lesions that do not respond to initial therapy.
  8. Administer or seek proper first aid.
  9. Encourage health care personnel to seek bacterial cultures to establish a diagnosis.
  10. Care and cover skin lesions appropriately before participation.