EMERGENCY PROTOCOLS FOR SELECTED HEALTH CONDITIONS IN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES
Background: About 7.6 million high school students in the United States participate in athletics (Olympia & Brady, 2013). In high school students, activity in athletics implies some risks to participants secondary to illnesses or injuries or, rarely, potentially life-threatening conditions. Among high school athletes, heat illness and asthma exacerbation are relatively common and fatalities related to each have been documented (Boden, Breit, Beachler, Williams, & Mueller, 2013; LaBella, Sanders, & Sullivan, 2009). Less common health conditions in adolescents include diabetes (types 1 and 2) and anaphylaxis, but they have well-known and potentially profound consequences such as long-term disability and/or death if not identified and managed in a timely manner (Devadoss, Kennedy & Herbold, 2011; Springer et al., 2013; Reed & Bodine, 2011; Wood et al., 2014). In addition, in more recent years, food allergy and concomitant anaphylaxis has been increasing for unknown reasons (Wagner, 2013). Finally, diabetes resulting from childhood obesity has also increased in prevalence (Laffel & Svoren, 2014).
Project Approach: A student Nurse Practitioner (sNP) performed a detailed needs assessment of a local high school’s emergency protocols for asthma, severe allergy (anaphylaxis), diabetes, and heat illness in high school athletes in collaboration with the health care providers at the institution. An evidence-based emergency protocol individualized to the athletes of this particular program was created. High school athletes and coaches participated in a 30-minute presentation regarding the emergency protocol to increase knowledge of coach and peer recognition of emergency situations. All participants completed knowledge based tests directly before and after the presentation and approximately one month later. Mean knowledge scores for coaches and athletes were compared before and after. Information on the occurrence of specific emergencies and treatment provided was also collected.
Outcomes: Data collection is currently in progress, however it is expected there will be an increase in participants’ knowledge scores for the emergency protocols regarding asthma, severe allergy (anaphylaxis), diabetes, and heat illness. Possible increases in incidence might also occur since participants might more easily identify instances of these conditions.
Conclusions: To be determined following review and analysis of results. It is expected the creation and presentation of the emergency protocol to coaches and high school athletes will result in increased knowledge in each population of how to identify and respond to these emergencies and increased recognition of these emergencies as they occur.