An extensive history if key to finding any risks and problems that may
affect the athlete. Cardiovascular questions are asked, such as any
chest pain experiences and or shortness of breath. Questions are also
asked about dizziness, back and neck pain, headaches, lightheadedness,
confusion, syncope, passing out , menstrual cycle (females), and
injury or surgery history, and physiological issues such as weight .
Any current medications taken by the athlete need to be written down
as well.
A complete orthopedic exam must be completed as well. This tests range of
motion in the joints, abnormal bony problems such as scoliosis,
winging scapula , joint dysfunctions hypermobility or restrictions ,
and but not limited to pain with any movements. During this section
myotomes are also tested.
The athletic trainer can do all the above listed parts of the PPE. The
doctor does the medical section where head, eyes, ears, nose, throat,
heart and lungs, and abdomen are checked. They listen for heart
sounds, murmurs, dysrhythmia irregular heart beat . The doctor also
checks over the entire PPE and signs the document and the athlete is
cleared to play, cleared with recommends for further care, or not
cleared.
For large groups, it is easiest and most efficient to have different
stations for each section of the exam. Place stations around the gym,
with a separate room available if something personal needs to be
examined further. Preparticipation Physical Examination can be done
individually, however, it takes a lot longer, and if you have a larger
number this can be really timely.
How to create an Emergency Action Plan EAP
An emergency action plan should be implemented at all athletic events, as
well as in office buildings. An emergency action plan is a
well-developed, organized plan of what will happen in the event of
certain emergencies. Emergency action plans can vary in size and
information. Hang on by each phone that lists the name, address, and
phone numbers of the specific location.
Local numbers to the police, fire, hospitals, and poison control should be
included. Add 911 to the list. Numbers to fellow athletic trainers,
team physicians, and other medical personnel can be listed as well.
Put the numbers in order of chain of command. In emergent situations
it is best to lay everything out clearly since things can get hectic.
The full emergency action plan should include the above listed information
plus much more. For athletic facilities, information about all
available equipment should be listed as well as their locations
throughout the venue. Include venue maps and locations in your plan.
This will make is simple for you to see where EMS can enter the site
and the best evacuation routes if needed. If combination locks are
used at certain gates include the codes, as well as any other codes
needed to get through doors.
Other items to include in your plan are potential health hazards dealing
with the environment. Put in a lightning safety plan, information
about heat illness and cold illness. Specific temperatures should be
listed, even put in charts about the humidity and wind chill. This
way you can easily see if it is safe to practice and/or play outside.
Print everything out on paper, plus keep a copy on the computer. The hard
copies should be kept in each venue for easy access. Use a hard three
ring binder and organize it with page separators and put a table of
contents. Organization is the key to a successful plan. Practice the
emergency action plan. Without practice, things will happen that
could have been fixed beforehand. If you run through the plan you
will see the simple things that need changed to make it more
efficient. Practice it on a regular basis and make sure everybody
involved knows the plan.
How to prevent a misdiagnosis
for your health
Many individuals go to a doctor and get the wrong diagnosis. Here are
some tips on how to prevent a misdiagnosis.
First and foremost, do not ignore symptoms. By doing this you could
be ignoring something that is preventable. Something else to do is to
avoid self-diagnosis. You have to have a health care professional do
the diagnosing. Different diseases can mimic each other so you must
see a doctor. A migraine and a stroke have similar symptoms, so it is
important to talk to a doctor.
If one doctor tell you a diagnosis, and it is something serious. Get a
second opinion. Talk to more than one doctor. This way you are
ensured to have the correct diagnosis and to get the best treatment
plan. Try a proven alternative therapy. Be sure that is it proven!
This way it is not harmful and not expensive. Before sure to look at
the data and talk to someone about it. Use the internet to research
but do not use it to search for illnesses.
See a specialist if needed. Many doctors train for certain areas.
Sometimes you need a team of doctors to diagnose and figure out the
best treatment plan for difficult diagnoses. Getting tested, any lab
work will help diagnose and find a more specific answer. Most
importantly, be the C.E.O. of your health. Keep a card with
information on it with you in case you cannot speak for yourself.
There are places online where you can find personal medical I.D.
cards.
Emergency Action Plan Physical Examination EMS
You need to get your Preparticipation
Physical Examination for sports
A preparticipation physical examination (PPE) is done before a sports
season in most if not all middle schools, high schools, and colleges.
The main reason for a PPE is for the safety of the athlete. A PPE is
basically a health/medical history of the athlete and their family. A
PPE asks very general to complex questions. It starts out with basic
information such as name, address, contact information, and emergency
contacts. Basic vital signs are also documented, blood pressure,
pulse, height, weight, vision. Immunization records are also needed.
Generally, family physician and insurance information is asked for as
well.
An extensive history if key to finding any risks and problems that may
affect the athlete. Cardiovascular questions are asked, such as any
chest pain experiences and or shortness of breath. Questions are also
asked about dizziness, back and neck pain, headaches, lightheadedness,
confusion, syncope,passing out , menstrual cycle (females), and injury
or surgery history, and physiological issues such as weight . Any
current medications taken by the athlete need to be written down as
well.
A complete orthopedic exam must be completed as well. This tests range of
motion in the joints, abnormal bony problems such as scoliosis,
winging scapula , joint dysfunctions hypermobility or restrictions ,
and but not limited to pain with any movements. During this section
myotomes are also tested.
The athletic trainer can do all the above listed parts of the PPE. The
doctor does the medical section where head, eyes, ears, nose, throat,
heart and lungs, and abdomen are checked. They listen for heart
sounds, murmurs, dysrhythmia irregular heart beat . The doctor also
checks over the entire PPE and signs the document and the athlete is
cleared to play, cleared with recommends for further care, or not
cleared.
For large groups, it is easiest and most efficient to have different
stations for each section of the exam. Place stations around the gym,
with a separate room available if something personal needs to be
examined further. Preparticipation Physical Examination can be done
individually, however, it takes a lot longer, and if you have a larger
number this can be really timely. |
