CHI - St. Joseph's Health - MN

Nationally for the past few years, the conversation about concussions has grown louder, and that's a good thing. Close to home, an in-school concussion program from CHI St. Joseph's Health has been protecting young athletes from the fallout of concussions for nearly 20 years. C oncussions are a type of traumatic brain injury. They occur from a blow to the head or body, causing the brain to move in the skull. The damage from concussions can be mild, or it can be severe, leading to life-threatening complications if not discovered, treated, and prevented from recurring. Angel Clark, MS, ATC, CSCS, CHI St. Joseph's Health Athletic Trainer, spearheads a school-based concussion assessment and management program designed to help spot troublesome brain injuries and guide young people to care. "It's important to identify concussions in children because their brains are still developing," Clark says. "Taking time to heal and fully recover from a concussion is essential; otherwise, these kids run the risk of developmental delays or permanent cognitive impairment that could keep them from reaching their full potential." HANDSON ASSESSMENT In Clark's program, athletes in grades 5–12 who are in a school-sponsored sport are administrated the SCAT3—a hands-on, baseline concussion screening. This helps Clark get to know students for improvement comparisons after injuries. In Case of Concussion Tell someone if you think you may have a concussion. It can be difficult to know if you've been injured, so don't keep it to yourself. Stop playing if you were injured while playing a sport. Do not return to the game without a medical professional's approval. Seek immediate medical attention. The sooner a concussion is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin. Protects Youth Athletes From Concussion (L-R): Angel Clark, MS, ATC, CSCS, CHI St. Joseph's Health Athletic Trainer with student Megan Olson School-based Program "SCAT3 is the standard concussion assessment performed on the sidelines at sporting events" Clark says. "It puts me face to face with students and ensures a more accurate baseline because the students aren't just mindlessly clicking through an online test. This means our comparisons are more accurate because all assessments are done using the same standard test." Clark administers the SCAT3 assessment one student at a time. All student athletes receive baseline testing every two years, which helps the concussion team identify issues that may not have been caught on the field, such as persistent headaches after a particularly rough pile-up on the football field. If a concussion is identified, Clark works closely with the student, medical providers, teachers, coaches, and families to help the young athlete heal and return to normal activities slowly, giving his or her brain time to recover. CHI St. Joseph's Health oers a full range of physical rehabilitation services, including athletic training. For more information, call 218.616.3005. www.CHISJH.org | CHI St. Joseph's Health 3

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