DPS Sports Medicine has adopted the Zurich Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sports Medicine return to play guidelines and the NATA position statement for Head injuries outlined as follows:

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• Head injury: The DPS Sports Medicine Staff has adopted the guidelines set forth by the NATA, Colorado Department of Education and in accordance with Colorado Senate Bill 11-040 for managing sport related head injury and sport concussion

  • When managing head injury in presence of helmet combined with shoulder pads, the helmet will not be removed; the face mask and cheek pads will be removed in the event that rescue breathing becomes necessary.

• Evaluation

  • The SCAT 3 will be utilized for all evaluations and documentations.

  • In the event of a head injury the athletic trainer will contact the athlete’s parents/guardians to inform them of the situation and will send the athlete home with home instructions.

• Return to Play

  • The Zurich Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sports Medicine Graduated Return to Play.

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If an athlete is suspected to have a concussion he or she will be immediately removed from the game, and evaluated by the attending athletic trainer. They will then be removed from the game, and be  taken through a SCAT3 or SCAT 5 evaluation. 

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If they are diagnosed with a concussion, the athlete will removed from play and disqualified form competition until completion of the Zurich return to play protocol.

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Zurich Concussion Return to Play protocol:

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After an athlete is symptom free for 24 hours they may begin the following return to play protocol with their athletic trainer, their athletic trainer will assess their ability and readiness to begin this protocol:

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