Hawaii State Department of Education
DOE Concussion Protocol
The Athletic Trainers in the Hawaii Department of Education follow a standardized protocol for the treatment of concussions, which is a step wise progression that the student will progress through following a concussion. The time that it takes the individual to complete each step is dependent on the individual's signs and symptoms. The student can progress to the next step if they are symptom free.
- When can my child return to school?
Sometimes children who have a concussion may find it hard to concentrate in school and their headache may increase in intensity or feel sick to their stomach, if they are in school. Children and Parents/guardians should contact school administration if their symptoms get worse while they are in class. Once your child feels better, you should contact school administration about going back to school at first for half days and if they are okay with that, then they can go back full time. (ThinkFirst)
- When can my child return to sports?
- Follow-up Assessments
Advise the your child to report to the Athletic Training Room (ATR) for post-concussion evaluation in 24 to 72 hours post injury. They well be given the following post-concussion assessments:
- Graded Symptom Check List (GSC)
- Cognitive status assessment with either Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) or Standard Assessment of Concussion (SAC)
- Postural Stability (Balance Error Scoring System)
- If your child is asymptomatic, cognitive and postural stability assessments are back to baseline scores, and have a physician's clearance they may proceed with Return to Activity Plan under the direction of the athletic trainer.
- If your child is still symptomatic, they will continue with physical and cognitive rest. (They well be reassessed with cognitive and postural stability assessments in 5-7 days or when the student athlete is asymptomatic before proceeding to Return to Activity Plan.)
- DOE Return to play protocol
- No activity, complete cognitive and physical rest
- Athlete should limit or avoid activities that require concentration or physical activities
such as homework, texting, exercise, horseplay, or playing video games if it worsens
their symptoms
- Athlete should limit or avoid activities that require concentration or physical activities
- Return to school
- Athlete returns to classes
- Athlete returns to classes
- Light aerobic exercises such as walking or stationary biking
- Sport Specific Training (running, throwing, serving, etc)
- Non-contact sport specific drills
- Full contact training after cleared from a doctor and the athletic trainer
- Full participation in practice (athlete must participate in practice before competing in a game)
- Full participation in practice (athlete must participate in practice before competing in a game)
- Game Play
- Return to full participation
Note: Each step must take a minimum of one day. If your child has any symptoms of a concussion (e.g. headache, feeling sick to his/her stomach) that come back either during activity, or later that day, your child should stop the activity immediately. Report symptoms to your athletic trainer or physician.
- No activity, complete cognitive and physical rest
- Follow-up Assessments
From ThinkFirst
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