Sports Medicine Emergency Plan

Sports Medicine Emergency Plan

A catastrophic injury, as defined by Barron’s Dictionary of medical terms, is “a severe illness or injury resulting in the prolonged hospitalization, extended recuperation, or both”. Having an established plan of action prior to any injury, especially a catastrophic injury, will save critical time, increase the expediency and quality of care provided, and decrease the potential damage physically, emotionally, and financially.

Niagara University’s Department of Athletics along with the Athletic Training Staff has developed this Emergency Plan to follow, should such a catastrophic injury occur. ALL THOSE INVOLVED ARE EXPECTED TO KNOW THEIR ROLE AND HOW TO ACTIVATE THE PLAN.

Included in this plan are flow charts for practices and games at Gallagher Center, Kiernan Center, Dwyer Arena, Softball Field, On Campus Baseball Field, Lacrosse Field, Soccer Field, Tennis Courts, Pool, Sal Maglie Stadium, Dwyer Weight Room, and off campus activities. Also included is a list of phone numbers. These flow charts should be followed in the event of an Emergency.

1. 
   When a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) is not on campus, the head coach must inform an ATC, as soon as possible.
   

2. 
   When an ATC is on campus; an ATC, a member of the coaching staff, and/or other personnel will accompany the injured student-athlete to the medical facility with the injured student-athlete’s emergency medical/ insurance information.
   

3. 
   Once the game and/or practice is complete, the ATC will immediately proceed to the medical facility.
   

4. 
   The ATC or Physician’s involved will contact parents or guardian in the event of an Emergency. The ATC or his/her designee will continue to communicate with the injured student-athlete’s family/next of kin and will provide medical updates as available.
   

5. 
   The ATC present will call the Head ATC. The Head ATC will call the Director of Athletics and the team physician to notify him/her of the situation. The Head ATC will keep the Director of Athletics updated at regular intervals with the situation.
   

6. 
   The Director of Athletics will contact others in the athletic department and University Administrative Personnel as he/she deems necessary.
   

7. 
   The ATC will begin their insurance claim. The insurance claim officer will follow up with the school insurance and the NCAA catastrophic insurance if needed.
   

8. 
   Once the student-athlete’s family/next of kin has been notified of the emergency situation and gives its consent, the team physician and Director of Athletics, in consultation with a member of the Sports Information Department, the Head ATC and/or a member of the athletic training staff, will make a statement concerning the injured student-athlete to be released to the press/media.
   

9. 
   The Sports Information Department is NOT authorized to release information concerning the situation to any member of the press/media until the student – athlete’s family/next of kin has been notified, has given their consent, and the Team Physician and the Director of Athletics and/or his/her designee have approved and authorized the statement.
   

10. 
    The Team Physician and the Director of Athletics and/or his/her designee, in consultation with the medical personnel at the medical facility, the student-athlete’s family/next of kin, and the Sports Information Department will be the official spokespersons regarding the injured student-athlete and the emergency situation.
    

11. 
    At no time is anyone besides the aforementioned personnel authorized to speak to anyone concerning the injured student-athlete and the emergency situation.
    

12. 
    The Head ATC and/or Director of Athletics and/or his/her designee will be responsible for arranging a private meeting space for all team personnel at the medical facility.
    

13. 
    It is the responsibility of the Sports Information Department to see to it that all press/media are kept at a safe distance from the private meeting space and do not “harass” team personnel in or around the medical facility.
    

14. 
    The ATC staff and coaching staff will be responsible for assembling the team as soon as possible for a briefing in the emergency situation.
    

15. 
    Once assembled, the team will be addressed by the ATC staff, the head coach, and/or the Director of Athletics or his/her designee regarding the injured student-athlete and the emergency situation. The team will be advised not to speak with the press/ media regarding the injured student athlete and/or the emergency situation.
    

16. 
    The ATC will also be responsible for contacting the Counseling Center and authorities at the medical facility for the purpose of arranging psychiatrists, psychologists, chaplains, grief counselors, etc. for the use of all team and athletic department personnel.
    

17. 
    The University’s Department of Athletics will make every effort to inform and assist the injured person, his/her immediate family and teammates with the tragedy.
    

*911 (if available or 9-911 from a campus phone)

*Number of student-athletes