2.2 Taipei American School Concussion and Return-to-Play (RTP) Protocol

For daily/weekly up-to-date practice and competition schedules please visit https://www.tas.edu.tw/athletics/inside-athletics/schedule

Appendix 2.1 Head Injury and Suspected Concussion Protocol for Student-Athletes

Any student-athlete who experiences a head injury (bump, jolt, or blow) will be assessed and observed for a minimum of 30 minutes for a suspected concussion by one of the Athletic Trainers. The SCAT-5, Child SCAT-5 sideline assessment will be used. If a student-athlete sustains multiple concussions within two consecutive years, the head athletic trainer will notify the student-athlete and family to determine the best course of action moving forward. On a case-by-case basis, the student-athlete may need to consider other options regarding their current sport of choice, depending on the level of contact. The sports medicine team and athletics department will assist the student-athlete and family to determine a more suitable sport for their specific case. Repeated head trauma in middle and high school aged children can cause long term brain damage, especially since the brain is still developing at these ages. If a concussion is suspected, the student-athlete should not be left alone and should be monitored for worsening symptoms. If symptoms worsen and become emergent, the student-athlete will be transported to the nearest emergency department. If no signs or symptoms of a concussion are present during the initial observation period, return to play is still not advisable. A parent/guardian will be notified of the risks of returning to play. Any activity should proceed with caution, understanding that symptoms can appear over time, and that the student-athlete should be observed closely during and after the activity. Any student-athlete that is diagnosed with a concussion will not return to play on the day of injury. They will be required to complete the school’s return-to-play protocol and be released by the Athletic Trainer before returning to any physical activities. If the student-athlete was examined by a medical doctor, a doctor’s note must be provided and given to the school nurse and Athletic Trainer before the student-athlete can return to physical activities. If a student-athlete sustains multiple concussions within two consecutive years, the head athletic trainer will notify the student-athlete and family that they can no longer participate in that sport (typically a contact sport). The sports medicine team and athletics department will work with the student-athlete and family to find a non-contact sport for the student-athlete to participate in, if interested. Repeated head trauma in middle and high school aged children can cause long term brain damage, especially since the brain is still developing at these ages.