Athletic Training Services

USM Athletic Injury/Illness Emergency Protocol

1. Contests and practices hosted at the University of Southern Maine or "home" sites:
   
   1. MEDICAL EMERGENCIES (breathing cessation, severe bleeding, concussion with loss of consciousness, suspected neck or spinal injury, fracture, dislocation, eye or face injury, heat related illness, any other injury or illness resulting in poor vital signs such as decreased blood pressure, weak pulse, or signs of shock).
      
      1. Follow the Emergency Action Principles (first aid principles) and provide appropriate care.
      2. Activate the emergency medical system (EMS) by calling USM Police Dispatch via campus telephone at 911 or 780-5211 via cell phone. Provide EMS with the following information:
         1. Identify yourself and your role in the emergency
         2. Specify your location and telephone number (if calling by phone)
         3. Give name(s) of injured/ill athlete(s)
         4. Give condition of injured/ill athlete(s)
         5. Give time of accident
         6. Give care being provided
         7. Give specific directions to the scene of the emergency
         8. Do not hang up until directed to do so by the EMS dispatcher
      3. Monitor vital signs.
      4. Calm and reassure the athlete.
      5. Notify an ATC as soon as possible.
      6. Complete an Injury/Illness Report and Medical Referral Form.
      7. Provide follow-up care as necessary.
   2. NON-EMERGENCIES (sprains, strains, concussion [with no loss of consciousness], illness, abrasions, minor cuts, contusions, etc.).
      
      1. Provide appropriate first aid care.
      2. Notify the ATC.
      3. Send the athlete to the appropriate medical care facility (if unable to contact an ATC and/or unsure of the severity of the injury).
      4. Complete an Injury/Illness Report and Medical Referral Form as necessary.
      5. Provide follow-up care as necessary.
   3. In the event an athlete is ill or injured and is transported to a hospital/emergency facility while participating in a university sponsored event off campus, the following guidelines should be followed:
      
      1. Notify USM Police of the athlete's name, a brief description of the injury/illness, and the name and telephone number of the hospital/emergency facility where the athlete has been transported.
      2. USM Police will receive all phone calls from parents or guardians and refer them to the hospital/emergency facility as appropriate.
      3. It is the responsibility of the hospital/emergency facility to notify the athlete's parents or guardians with the latest and most accurate information concerning his/her condition.
         
         
   4. NOTE: When a team/program practices or hosts contests AT "HOME" SITES which are LOCATED OFF-CAMPUS (e.g. golf, sailing, tennis) the same guidelines as outlined above should be followed. It is imperative that the ATC, or in the absence of the ATC, the head coach locate the nearest accessible telephone on-site prior to beginning the practice or contest. In the event of a medical emergency, dial 839-5555 (or other appropriate EMS number such as 911) to summon EMS personnel and follow Section A.1. Medical Emergency guidelines above. If injury appears to be non-emergent, make arrangements to have the athlete transported back to the athletic training room for further assessment and treatment as soon as possible but provide necessary first aid immediately on-site.
      
      
2. B. For contests and practice occurring AWAY FROM the University of Southern Maine:
   
   1. MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
      
      1. Follow the Emergency Action Principles (first aid principles) and provide appropriate care.
      2. Ask for the host ATC and follow the host institution's emergency action plan.
      3. If athlete must be transported to an emergency facility, find out what facility they will be going to and then make arrangements with the USM head coach to pick up the athlete after the contest ends.
      4. Do not travel via EMS transport to the emergency facility with the athlete. Staying with the rest of the team is the priority. In the event that more than one athletic training student is available, or an assistant coach or designee, it is permissible to accompany the injured/ill athlete to the emergency facility if requested by the athlete or head coach.
      5. Notify an ATC at USM as soon as possible.
      6. Complete an Injury/Illness Report and Medical Referral Form as necessary.
   2. NON-EMERGENCIES (able to return to USM without immediate medical care)
      
      1. Provide appropriate first aid care.
      2. Return to USM and follow non-emergency management protocols established for home events.
      3. Notify an ATC at USM upon returning.
      4. Complete Injury/Illness Report.
      
      
3. C. MISCELLANEOUS
   
   1. In the event of hospitalization or surgery, hospital personnel or a USM ATC would notify the athletes’ parent(s) or guardian(s) as necessary and appropriate. Medical confidentiality will and must be maintained in all cases.
   2. Athletes should not report to the USM Health Services without first attempting to consult the assigned ATC and obtaining a referral.
   3. Athletes who have been referred to the USM Health Services or other health care provider will not be allowed to return to participation until the attending health care provider has given appropriate clearance.

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