APPROPRIATE CARE OF THE SPINE INJURED ATHLETE

APPROPRIATE CARE OF THE SPINE INJURED ATHLETE (Inter-Association Task Force Update – 2015)On June 24th, 2015, The National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) released an update to the Appropriate Care for the Spine Injured Athlete. The original consensus statement was published in 1989 and much has changed since then. You may recall our website highlighted changes in Emergency Care Protocols last summer. We are using this opportunity to emphasize the NATA position on Appropriate Care.Please familiarize yourself with the document – there are significant changes in equipment removal. Athletic trainers (ATs) are more familiar with protective sport equipment than any other member of the health care team and likely have more knowledge of equipment removal that the hospital emergency department staff.The information regarding equipment removal is being shared with secondary school administrators through the Missouri State High School Activities Association. ATs in every work setting should discuss changes in protocol with administrators and emergency medical service providers as soon as possible to ensure high quality care.

http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/Executive-Summary-Spine-Injury.pdf