Hillsdale College Emergency Action Plan

Introduction

“Reasonable attention to all possible preventative measures will not eliminate sports injuries.  Each scheduled practice or contest on an institution-sponsored intercollegiate athletics event, and all out-of-season practices and skills sessions, should include an emergency plan.  Like student-athlete wellbeing in general, a plan is a shared responsibility of the athletics department; administrators, coaches and medical personnel should all play a role in the establishment of the plan, procurement of resources and understanding of appropriate emergency response procedures by all parties.” (1)

Although most injuries in athletics tend to be relatively minor, limb- and/or life-threatening injuries are unpredictable and can occur at any time and without warning.  In the event of these types of emergencies immediate action must be taken so the best possible care may be given.  The creation and utilization of an emergency action plan will help to ensure proper medical services and care are provided.

This document and the supplemental emergency action plans (EAP) will act as a guide to help in the understanding and reaction of the emergency response team during a medical emergency.  For venue specific information please review each EAP.  These can be found at the site of each athletic event and in the main athletic training facility.

Components of the Emergency Action Plan

Each EAP has three (3) basic components:

1. Emergency Personnel
2. Emergency Equipment
3. Emergency Communication

Personnel

During most intercollegiate athletic practices and competitions the first responder to an emergency situation is typically a member of the sports medicine staff, usually a certified athletic trainer.  A team physician is not always present for every organized athletic event.  The type and degree of coverage provided by the sports medicine team may vary greatly for each athletic event, based on many different factors.  In some cases where an athletic trainer is not present a member of the coaching staff or another institutional staff member may be required to act as the first responder.  In these situations knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid, automated external defibrillator use, prevention of disease transmission, and review of the emergency plan are necessary and required for all athletics personnel.

In order for the emergency plan to work effectively the formation of an emergency team is necessary.  There may be many different individuals who are a part of the emergency team.  The list of those involved could include the team physician, certified athletic trainers, athletic training students, athletic training student aids, emergency medical personnel (EMTs and/or paramedics), administrative staff, coaches, managers, and even fans/bystanders.  The roles of each individual may vary from venue to venue and sport to sport, but in the end the goal and responsibility of the emergency team is to help provide immediate care to the injured student-athlete.

Equipment

The use of emergency medical equipment will be dependent on the type and severity of the injury sustained by the student-athlete and the level of training of the medical provider giving care.  The equipment should be in good operating condition, and checked regularly to ensure proper function.  The operation of emergency equipment should appropriately match the level of training of the medical personnel using it.

All intercollegiate athletic events will have the following emergency equipment easily accessible:

1. Automated External Defibrillator
2. Air-way kit
3. Bag valve mask
4. Splints
5. Crutches
6. Other specialty equipment, specific to the sporting event being covered, may also be on hand.

Communication

Communication is key in the quick delivery of emergency care in case of a traumatic incident.  The sports medicine staff and other emergency medical personnel must work together to provide the best care possible to the injured student-athlete(s).  Communication prior to the event is a good way to establish boundaries and to build rapport between both groups of medical professionals.  If emergency medical transportation is not available on site during a particular sporting event then direct communication with the emergency medical system at the time of injury or illness is necessary.  Access to a working telephone, or other telecommunications device, fixed or mobile, should be assured.  The communications system should be checked prior to each practice or competition to ensure it is working properly.  Back-up communication should be planned in case of failure of the primary communication system.  The most common method of communication is a cellular phone.  At any athletic venue, whether home or away, it is important to know the location of a workable telephone.  Pre-arranged access to the phone should be established if it is not easily accessible.

Once the emergency action plan has been activated, the following should be contacted:

1. Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
2. Campus Safety
3. Site Administrator

Transportation

Emphasis should be placed on having an ambulance on site at high risk sporting events.  Hillsdale College Sports Medicine coordinates on site ambulances for competition in football.  Ambulances may be coordinated on site for other special/sporting events, such as major tournaments, Great Midwest Athletic Conference/NCAA DII regional, or championship events.  Consideration is given to the capabilities of transportation services available (i.e. Basic Life Support or Advanced Life Support) and the equipment and level of training of personnel on board the ambulance. In the event that an ambulance is on site, there should be a designated location with rapid access to the site and a cleared route for entering/exiting the venue.

In the emergency evaluation, the primary survey assists the emergency care provider in identifying emergencies requiring critical intervention and in determining transport decisions. In an emergency situation, the student-athlete should be transported by ambulance, where the necessary staff and equipment is available to deliver appropriate care. Emergency care providers should refrain from transporting unstable student-athletes in inappropriate vehicles. Care must be taken to ensure the activity areas are supervised should the emergency care provider leave the site to transport the student-athlete.

Conclusion

The importance of being properly prepared when medical emergencies arise cannot be stressed enough.  A student-athlete’s survival may hinge on the training and preparedness of the on-site healthcare providers.  It is important to have the athletic department involved in the emergency action plan, this means involving the athletic administration and coaches in addition to sports medicine personnel.  Through the development and implementation of an emergency action plan, the athletic administration will help ensure student-athletes have the best possible care provided if an emergency situation does occur.

References:

1. NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook. Guideline 1D (Revised July 2012).
2. Anderson JC et al (2002). National Athletic Trainers Association Position Statement: Emergency Planning in Athletics. Journal of Athletic Training. 37(1): 99-104.