Action Plan
- Step 1
1. Schedule Baseline Testing before start of season
2. Education of athletes, parents and coaches - Step 2
If you suspect that a player has a concussion:
1. Remove athlete from play
2. Keep athlete out of play until properly evaluated
3. Inform athlete's parents or guardians about the known or possible concussion, and when to seek immediate medical attention - Step 3
Contact Dr. Irving Williams, II, CIC for evaluation and ImPACT™ testing within 24-72 hours. - Step 4
Dr. Williams will determine when it is safe for the athlete to return to play, and provide a letter to allow athlete to return only at appropriate time.
What is ImPACT?
ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is the most widely used and most scientifically validated computerized concussion evaluation system. It is a sophisticated, neurocognitive computer test pioneered in 1995 by Mark Lovell, PhD, ABPN, Joseph Maroon, MD, and Michael Collins, PhD of the University of Pittsburg. These professionals are world leaders in the field of concussion management. ImPACT was founded in 2002 to bring an array of advanced concussion management tools to the field of athletics. ImPACT is a 25 minute computerized program scientifically validated to measure the effects of sports related concussions. This test evaluates and documents multiple aspects of neurocognitive functioning, including verbal and visual memory, attention span, brain processing speed, reaction time, and post-concussive symptoms. ImPACT provides clinicians with invaluable information that can help take the guess work out of concussion management and promote safe return-to-play decisions for athletes.
In the preseason, each athlete is given a baseline test. When a concussion is suspected during the season a follow-up test is administered to determine if changes from baseline have occurred. This comparison helps in the diagnosis and management of a concussion. Follow-up test can be administered over days or weeks as needed. ImPact provides information regarding the severity of injury and a standard for evaluating recovery from injury. When baseline data are unavailable, ImPACT has a normative database of thousands of non-injured athletes, which can be used for effective evaluations and comparisons.
-
What is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works.
more -
What is ImPACT?
ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is the most widely used and most scientifically validated computerized concussion evaluation system.
more -
Sports Concussion Clinic
Any body who is suspected of having a concussion should be evaluated within 24-72 hours by a Credentialed ImPACT Consultant (CIC).
more