SPORTS MEDICINE

MEDICAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Shared Responsibility for Sports Safety
Participation in sports requires an ACCEPTANCE OF RISK of injury.  Student-Athletes rightfully assume that those who are responsible for the conduct of sport have taken reasonable precautions to minimize the risk of significant injury.  Periodic analysis of injury patterns continually leads to refinements in the rules and/or other safety guidelines. 

Compliance with rulebooks, warning labels, and other safety guidelines implies respect on everyone's part (Student-Athlete, coach, athletic trainer, physician, and athletic director) for the intent and purpose of rules and guidelines.

Coaches should appropriately acquaint the Student-Athlete with risk of injury and with the rules and practices they are employing to minimize the Student-Athletes risk of significant injury while pursuing the many benefits of sport.  The Head Athletic Trainer and Team Physician should be responsible for injury-prevention efforts (where possible) and the care of those injuries that occur.  The Athletic Program, via the Athletics Administrator, should be responsible for providing a safe environment.  The Student-Athlete and the Athletic Program have a mutual need for an informed awareness of the risk being accepted and for sharing the responsibility for minimizing those at risk.

Medical Clearance
Pre-participation Medical Exam and Records

1. Before Student-Athletes accept the rigors of any organized sport, their health status should be evaluated.  A pre-admission physical examination is required before any Student-Athlete is allowed to participate in practice, play or conditioning activities. 
2. All student athletes must complete athletic medical forms each year prior to participating in any scheduled practice, game, or travel.
3. All student athletes must have some form of primary medical insurance.

Medical Disqualification of a Student-Athlete 

1. The withholding of a Student-Athlete from an activity as a result of medical issues is the responsibility of the athletic trainer.  The team physician has the final responsibility to determine when a Student-Athlete is removed or withheld from participation due to an injury, an illness or pregnancy.  In addition, clearance for that individual to return to activity is solely the responsibility of the team physician or that physician's representative.
   
2. Participation by Impaired Student-Athlete
   These individuals should be eligible for intercollegiate programs if they  qualify for a team without any lowering of standards for achievement, attendance or completion of required task, and if they do not put others at risk.  Medical exclusion of an impaired student from an athletic program should occur only when the impairment presents unusual risk of further impairment or disability to the individual and/or other participants.
   
3. Participation by the Pregnant Student-Athlete
   Serious consideration of the risks and benefits of athletic participation should be explained to the pregnant Student-Athlete and weighed by her and the team physician as well as the College.  This discussion and the subsequent process by which the decision for medical qualification should take into account the risk of injury to the Student-Athlete and child.
   
   It is prudent that a document of understanding and physicians release be part of the student-athlete's return to athletic participation. 

Medical Referral Policy 

Referrals to Medical Personnel Outside of the College Community 

1. The Head Athletic Trainer is responsible for making all referrals off campus to team physicians and sports medicine team members.  Any unauthorized referrals made for medical care except, in a life threatening emergency, will not be eligible for submission to Spartanburg Methodist College's athletic insurance carrier.
   
2. The Head Athletic Trainer will arrange referrals to the team physician when in the athletic training facility only after a complete examination and recording of the injury.  Coaches should refrain from referring athletes to the team physician or any other health care professional without a complete assessment by the Head Athletic Trainer.   

 Important Telephone Numbers 

                  Dawn Anthony, Assistant Athletic Trainer
                  864-587-7346   Training Room

                  Mark Perdue                                 864-587-4237 Office
                  Athletic Director                            864-578-0748 Home
                                                                     864-237-8809 Cell

Alcohol Policy
The NJCAA and professional societies such as the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) condemn the employment of non-therapeutic drugs by Student-Athletes in an effort to enhance or influence athletic performance.  Use of such drugs is contrary to the rules and ethical principles of athletic competition. 

All member institutions, their athletic staff and their Student-Athletes should assert aggressively their wholesome influences in combating the use of non-therapeutic drugs among the nation's youth. (1997/1998 NJCAA Sports Medicine Handbook) 

Tobacco Policy

The use of any type of tobacco products in conjunction with NJCAA sponsored events or practice is strictly prohibited.