Head Injury Procedure

General Procedures:

1. For purposes of this protocol, “trained school personnel” include any of the following individuals: School Nurse (who by definition must be an RN), certified athletic trainers, certified athletic directors, and employees or volunteers who have received proper training by completing a recognized head injury/concussion training program. These procedures are implemented by the School Nurse if available.
2. If a student is suspected of having sustained a head injury, a supervising adult will alert trained school personnel if available.
3. If student is unresponsive, convulsing or seizing, vomiting repetitively, slurring speech, experiencing weakness, numbness or decreased coordination, or if one pupil is larger than the other, school staff will immediately activate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) by calling 911. Refer to Danger Signs on the Suspected Head Injury Assessment Form.
4. If student is able to safely ambulate to the Health Room, student will do so directly, escorted by a responsible adult or classmate.  Students suspected of having sustained a head injury will not be left alone.
5. Trained school personnel will assess the nature of the injury including the cause and force of the hit, bump, jolt or blow to the head.
6. Trained school personnel will assess student’s memory of the incident, paying close attention to memory lapses of events leading up to or immediately following the incident.
7. Available witnesses will assist in determining the accuracy of the injured student’s account.
8. Trained school personnel will administer first aid as needed.
9. Trained school personnel will interview the injured student and complete the Suspected Head Injury Assessment Form and Concussion Signs and Symptoms Checklist to include documentation of communication with parents/guardians, teachers/administrators and additional assessments made following the first 30 minutes, vital signs if indicated, and interventions, e.g., first aid.
10. Trained school personnel will contact parent/guardian to report incident, assessment, and status of injured student.
11. In the absence of symptoms, trained school personnel may determine the student is able to return to class.
12. If the student returns to class, trained school personnel will make a plan with the student for alerting the trained school personnel in the event symptoms develop during the school day.
13. Trained school personnel will plan follow-up same day visit(s) to the Health Room for reassessment.
14. Trained school personnel will notify appropriate teacher(s) and Administrator(s) of incident.
15. Teachers, administrators and staff will alert the trained school personnel to any signs or symptoms of concussion observed or reported by student.
16. Trained school personnel sign the Suspected Head Injury Assessment Form and the Concussion Signs and Symptoms Checklist, maintain a copy in the student’s health record, and send the original home along with Know Your Concussion ABCs Fact Sheet for Parents.
17. Parents/guardians sign the completed Concussion Signs and Symptoms Checklist and return it to the Health Room.
18. Trained school personnel maintain the copy of the Concussion Signs and Symptoms Checklist signed by the parents/guardians in the student’s health record.
19. If student is referred for medical evaluation, trained school personnel will complete Report of Accident on School Grounds Form and send to Risk Management.
20. Trained school personnel complete additional documentation as required.
21. Trained school personnel receive follow-up health care evaluation(s) and return to school care plan, and communicate with and support students and faculty in providing academic accommodations and activity restrictions if indicated.