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  1. Athletics
  2. Concussion Management
  3. Immediate Referral Guidelines for All Staff

Immediate Referral Guidelines for All Staff

  1. An athlete with a witnessed loss of consciousness (LOC) of any duration should be spine-boarded and transported immediately to the nearest emergency department via emergency vehicle.
  2. An athlete who has symptoms of a concussion and is not stable (condition is rapidly deteriorating), is to be transported immediately to the nearest emergency department via emergency vehicle.
  3. An athlete who exhibits any of the following signs is unstable and should be transported to the nearest emergency department via emergency vehicle:
    • deterioration of neurological function
    • decreasing level of consciousness
    • decrease or irregularity in respirations
    • decrease or irregularity in pulse
    • unequal, dilated or unreactive pupils
    • any signs or symptoms of associated injuries, spine or skull fracture
    • fluid (clear or blood) from the eyes, ears, nose or mouth
    • mental status changes: lethargy, difficulty maintaining arousal, increasing confusion or agitation
    • seizure activity
    • cranial nerve deficits
  4. An athlete who is symptomatic but stable (meaning not showing any of the unstable signs listed above), may be transported by his or her parents. The parents should be advised to contact the athlete's primary care physician or seek care at the nearest emergency department within 24 hours.
  5. If the parents are unavailable, a responsible individual may be allowed to transport the athlete home if the individual understands the home care instructions and is able to monitor the athlete. Efforts should continue to be made to contact the parents.
  6. Parents should always have the option of emergency transportation, even if it is not deemed necessary.