Sports Medicine Policy and Procedures

(1)

Sports Medicine Policy and Procedures

DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS A. Introduction

Lourdes University Athletic Department strives to provide the highest quality of health care to each and every Student-Athlete participating in our intercollegiate athletic program. Lourdes University Student-Athletes have access to an extensive sports medicine program that focuses on prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic related injuries. Our Sports Medicine staff is comprised of two certified athletic trainers, one team physician that specializes in

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and multiple orthopaedic surgeons. We have an excellent and very comprehensive medical support system; all provided by ProMedica, the largest

healthcare system in our region and has earned national recognition for high-quality, integrated care.

B. Criteria for Participation

a. Pre-Participation Physical Exam

i. Freshman and Transfer Student-Athletes

Lourdes University requires all freshman and transfer student athletes to go through a pre-participation physical examination prior to participating in organized practice or competition. Every Student-Athlete must have their physical examination on file. This physical examination is very comprehensive and will be arranged by Lourdes University Sports Medicine. The pre-participation physical examination will identify existing medical problems that might hinder athletic

performance/physical health. A physical from any other physician is not allowed as a replacement for the one conducted by Lourdes University Sports Medicine.

Freshman and Transfer Student-Athletes are required to log on to our online documentation system, ATS, to create a new account and thoroughly fill out all of our Athletic Policies and Forms. Directions for these New Student-Athletes can be found on our athletic website. Please print out a copy of your medical history and bring to your respective athletic physicals. Should you not have this paperwork with you and/or completed the online account information by 8am on the day prior to your scheduled physical; you will not be allowed to have your physical

(2)

completed. The athlete will then be required to obtain their athletic physical at our Team Physician's office at cost to them.

**ATS Site Address is lourdes2.atsusers.com (do not use the http://www prefix) **

ii. Returning Student Athletes

Lourdes University requires all returning student athletes to complete an annual medical health update prior to the beginning of their respective season. All returning student athletes will be interviewed by an athletic trainer or physical therapist. Following the interview, each returning Student-Athlete will be examined by the team physician to discuss the course of treatment for any new medical conditions or injuries, and also deem whether or not the athlete is medically cleared for participation in their sport.

Returning Athletes are required to log on to our online documentation system, ATS, to update any information that has changed since the previous year. Directions for these Returning Student-Athletes can be found on our athletic website. Should you not have updated your ATS account information by 8am on the day prior to their scheduled updated physical; you will not be allowed to have your updated physical

completed. The athlete will then be required to obtain their athletic physical at our Team Physician's office at cost to them.

**ATS Site Address is lourdes2.atsusers.com (do not use the http://www prefix) **

iii. Walk-on/Tryout Student Athlete Physical Exam

Lourdes University will not be responsible for an injury that may occur during a try-out prior to the pre-season physical examination. A waiver must be signed before any athlete can participate in a try-out. A student wishing to try-out for a team must also provide proof of an annual physical from a physician within the past six (6) months

iv. Pre-Existing Medical Conditions/Injuries and/or Pre-Participation Physical Examination Findings

Any or all pre-existing injuries or medical conditions must be reported and documented to the Lourdes University Sports Medicine Staff. This must be done prior to, or at the time of the initial pre-physical

examination. Lourdes University will not be financially responsible for any bills that are generated by pre-existing or medical conditions found during the pre-participation physical examination.

(3)

C. Injury Care Plan

An injury sustained during supervised practice or contest must be reported as soon as possible to the Lourdes University Sports Medicine Staff. An athletic trainer will do a primary

evaluation. If trauma is beyond the athletic trainer’s level of care, the athlete will be referred to our Lourdes University team physician or Emergency Center. A program of treatment and management will be prescribed. It is the athlete’s responsibility to schedule treatment. The Lourdes University Sports Medicine Staff cannot be held liable if the athlete does not comply with the program that is prescribed. The decision to return to athletic participation will be made by the Sports Medicine Staff.

Consistent communication between the Student-Athlete, Coaches and Sports Medicine Staff is essential for the overall care of each Student-Athlete. It is the Student-Athletes responsibility to report all athlete related injuries immediately to the Lourdes University Sports Medicine Staff.

i. Injury Referral and Outside Consultation

The Lourdes University Team Physician may determine that further evaluation is needed in the treatment and care of an athletic related injury. Appointments for such referrals will be made by a Lourdes University Athletic Trainer. Any unauthorized referral will be the sole responsibility of the athlete involved. If the athlete, their parents or guardian, spouse and/or seek outside care of any injury, the Athletic Department is not financially responsible for any and all charges

pertaining to the unauthorized referral. The athlete will not be permitted to participate, after outside consultation, until: 1) a detailed written report has been received from the consulting physician; 2) an evaluation is made by the Lourdes University Sports Medicine Staff, and it has been determined that the athlete can demonstrate the necessary skills needed to resume participation.

D. Athletic Insurance Coverage

Insurance coverage for any injury sustained while participating in an intercollegiate sport at Lourdes University can be used as either a primary or a secondary accidental policy.

Participation is defined as periods of official, organized athletic participation while under the general supervision of authorized University personnel or outside practice (i.e. open gym) in preparation for intercollegiate participation. For athletes without other health insurance, this policy can be used as their primary insurance for athletic related injuries. This policy can also be used as a secondary insurance to those athletes who have a primary insurance. Parental, guardian or personal insurance is the primary coverage. This means that the medical provider

(4)

will send medical bills incurred, as the result of injury in an intercollegiate sport, directly to the primary company or the athlete’s home address. The Lourdes University policy will be

secondary, thus assisting in the remainder of the medical bill after the primary coverage has responded. This is only the case when the injury is sustained during participation in practice or contest of an athlete’s given sport.

Lourdes University Athletic Insurance is provided by First Agency, Inc. The maximum lifetime benefit per athletic injury is $25,000. After the maximum lifetime benefit has been exhausted, the athlete is then responsible for any remaining balances. The first treatment expense must be incurred within 90 days from onset of the injury.

Claim Procedure

As previously stated all athletic injury referrals must be completed by Lourdes University

Athletic Trainer. Once the referral has been made, the Athletic Trainer will complete a claim for the athletic injury and then submit it to the insurance carrier. Should any bills be received for treatment of the sustained injury, please contact the athletic trainer immediately. Please note that First Agency may request the primary insurance carrier’s explanation of benefits (EOB) for the specific athletic injury. Please be prepared should the EOB be requested.

Should termination of participation occur, Lourdes University will see out the care of any pre-established injury that occurred while participating in Lourdes University Intercollegiate

Athletics. Lourdes University will not be responsible for the care of any injury that has not been previously reported once a decision to no longer participate as an intercollegiate athlete has been established (i.e. removal from team before eligibility has been completed).

If the parents or Student-Athlete refuse to give primary insurance information or if false information is provided then Lourdes University will not be responsible for any medical bills incurred as a result of participation in intercollegiate athletics.

Medical Bills

All medical bills are the responsibility of the Student-Athlete. When a Student-Athlete receives an athletic related medical bill, it is their responsibility to make sure that all insurances were billed properly. The Lourdes University Sports Medicine Staff will gladly assist the Student-Athlete after an initial inquiry has been completed with the provider.

Lourdes University cannot be held liable for expenses associated with non-participation related examination or testing. THE SPORTS MEDICINE STAFF MAY ASSIST THE STUDENT-ATHLETE BY MAKING NON-PARTICIPATION RELATED APPOINTMENTS. HOWEVER, IT SHOULD NOT BE ASSUMED THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT WILL COVER THE EXPENSES FORSUCH

APPOINTMENTS.

(5)

E. Medical Disqualification or Exceptions to Participation

a. Lourdes University Sports Medicine Staff reserves the right to medically disqualify a Student-Athlete under NAIA rules. If it has been medically determined that it is unsafe or detrimental to their long-term health of a Student-Athlete to continue participation in Intercollegiate Athletic, the Team Physician has ultimate authority to Medically Disqualify a Student Athlete from participation.

b. Pregnant Athlete

A Student-Athlete must report her pregnancy to the Team Physician as soon as possible to eliminate any health risks to both the mother and the fetus. All information pertaining to the pregnancy will be treated by a physician and confidential transaction. The athlete, her personal physician, and Lourdes University Team Physician will weigh the danger of athletic participation. If the decision is made to allow the pregnant athlete to participate, a document of understanding and waiver must be signed.

c. Body Piercing

Any body piercing (i.e. ears, nose, tongue, eyebrow, belly button, etc.…) may not be worn during participation of intercollegiate athletics at Lourdes University. Any injury resulting from wearing a piercing is the sole responsibility of the athlete.

F. Other Sports Medicine Policies

a. All Sport Medicine Policies can be found on the Lourdes University Athletic Website: www.lourdesathletics.com

i. Drug Testing Policy

1. All Student-Athletes of Lourdes University are subject to mass and random drug screens.

ii. Concussion Policy

1. All Student-Athletes are required to read and electronically sign the Lourdes University Concussion Policy in ATS prior to participation. iii. Sickle Cell Policy

1. All Student-Athletes are required to read, fill out accurately, and electronically sign the Lourdes University Sickle Cell Policy in ATS prior to participation.

(6)

iv. Nutritional Supplement Disclosure Policy

1. All Student-Athletes are required to read, fill out accurately, and electronically sign the Lourdes University Nutritional Supplement Disclosure Policy in ATS, prior to participation. If you choose to take a supplement, you acknowledge the risk of losing your eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics if you test positive for an NAIA banned substance, regardless of the reason or purpose for taking such supplements.

G. Odd and Ends

a. Doctors, Physical Therapy, and Diagnostic Imaging Appointments

i. Student-Athletes are responsible for making and remembering their own appointments.

ii. Student-Athletes are required to be either early or on time for their appointments.

iii. Cancelations are required to be made 24 hours in advance. b. Physician Exam Report

i. Athletes are required to pick up a Physician Exam Report from the athletic training, prior to each visit to Sports Care Physicians

c. Prescription Medications

i. Prescription Medication are to be used by the prescribed athlete only!!!! ii. There will be major consequences should an athlete be found using

un-prescribed or distributing prescription medications to other athletes. H. Athletic Training Room Rules

a. The athletic training room is a medical facility and should be treated as such. i. Be on time. In season sports take precedence over sports in

“non-traditional” seasons.

ii. Acutely injured athletes take precedence over all others iii. No treatment will be given before an injury is evaluated.

iv. Missing an appointment without prior calling is not acceptable. Consequences will be determined by that athletes’ coach. v. Use appropriate language.

vi. No food or drink with the exception of water is allowed in the athletic training room.

vii. Do not wear shoes on the treatment tables.

viii. Appropriate clothing must be worn. Practice gear, shorts, t-shirts. ix. Do not remove any equipment from the athletic training room without

permission.

(7)

xi. Always treat Sports Medicine Staff with respect.

xii. All over the counter medications (OTC) will be documented at the time of dispense.

(8)

Sports Medicine Policies and Procedures

I have read and understand Lourdes University Sports Medicine Policies and Procedures.