Hopkinton Sports Head Injury Procedure

All interscholastic athletes are required to either have a baseline ImPact test done through the school or through their own physician for the current season in which they are participating. If parents/guardians do not want their son/daughter to participate in this program OR the athlete did not attend any of the scheduled Impact baseline sessions, they must sign a waiver stating that they absolve the school of any liability for not having an ImPact test on file. Once the ImPact test is complete, it will serve only as an evaluation tool to help determine the severity of any brain injury. The procedure for head injuries are as follows:

Obvious head injury- Player loses consciousness- 911 is called, parents/guardians contacted immediately, the player may not return to play until cleared by a physician.  Baseline ImPact results are provided to the parents/guardians and physicians and post-injury tests will be conducted as requested by the physician, once all concussion-related symptoms have disappeared. Once cleared by a physician, the parent/guardian will also provide a written statement to the school that they understand a head injury has occurred and that they, as parent/guardian, allow the athlete to resume competition.

Potential head injury- Player takes a visible blow to the head and demonstrates ANY symptoms of a head injury (headache or pressure, dizziness, nausea, vision issues, feeling groggy, attention/memory issues or confusion). Player is removed from practice/game, parents/guardians contacted immediately, the player may not return to play until cleared by a physician. Baseline ImPact results are provided to the parents/guardians and post-injury tests will be conducted as requested by the physician, once all concussion-related symptoms have disappeared. Once cleared by a physician, the parent/guardian will also provide a written statement to the school that they understand a head injury has occurred and that they, as parent/guardian, allow the athlete to resume competition.

Unknown head injury- Player complains of one or more of the above symptoms, either no head injury was witnessed, or contact was minimal. The player is held out of practice/game and parents/guardians are notified and advised to have the athlete take a post-injury ImPact test.  If the subsequent test results in any red flags (ImPact test results show an abnormal deviation from the baseline), the athlete must be cleared by a physician prior to resuming practice or play.  If the ImPact test results do NOT show an abnormal deviation OR if the parent/guardian declines an ImPact test, the athlete may return to play provided written authorization is provided to the AD and nurse that it is understood by the parent that a head injury may have taken place and that they, the parent/guardian, allow the athlete to resume competition.  In the event that an athlete does not pass a Post-Injury ImPact test, the school will not provide another Post-Injury test for at least seven days.