Guidelines for Athletic Injury Reporting and Referral

Sports injuries are an unfortunate consequence of athletic participation.  In order to provide the best possible care for these injuries, the following procedures have been established:

Reporting of Athletic Injuries

1. Any sports-related injury that occurs during participation in athletics sponsored by Bow High School should be reported to the athlete’s coach immediately.  The coach will make an initial evaluation and contact the athletic trainer for assistance if needed.  If the athlete is unable to return to play, or if the injury requires additional care, the athlete must see the athletic trainer after activity, or as soon as practical during the next school day.
2. The Athletic Trainer will evaluate the injury and, based on the evaluation, make a determination as to the appropriate course of care for the athlete.  Treatment will be based on established protocols.  In most cases, injuries are minor in nature and the athlete can be successfully treated in the Training Room .  The athlete will be issued a clearance note for the coach when able to return to play.  If the injury is more extensive or will require further medical evaluation by a physician, the athlete's parents will be contacted.

Physician Referral

1. If you feel an athletic injury requires the evaluation or care of a doctor, we suggest that you contact us prior to seeing your physician of choice.  It is important for the follow-up care of your child that we have open communication with your child's physician.  It is also important that we know the diagnosis and instructions in order to provide the follow-up care necessary.  We have established relationships with a number of local doctors, and would be happy to suggest those with sports medicine expertise.
2. If your child is seen by a physician for a sports-related injury or illness, he/she will not be able to return to participation without a written release, on the required BHS Form, from that physician.  The required “Physician Referral Form” may be picked up from the Athletic Trainer, or printed from the Bow High School Athletic Training website (www.bownet.org/cchulada/sportsmed.htm ). Without that permission form we have no way of confirming the diagnosis, what treatment we may provide, whether or not an athlete is actually cleared to return to participation or if there are limitations to his/her participation.
3. Any athlete with an injury or illness that causes a loss of more than 3 days of playing time, but did not result from BHS sport participation, will be REQUIRED to receive a physician’s clearance,  and submit a BHS “Physican Referral Form” before being allowed to return to sports participation. 

If you have ANY questions regarding the care of your child’s injury, please contact the Athletic Training Staff.