What is an EAP

1
What is an EAP????

• Blueprint for medical personnel who are handling
  emergencies that is designed to be a
  site-specific plan to minimize risk to the
  injured person and expedite their access to
  expert medical attention

2
EAP Overview

• Time is the key
• Must have a well-rehearsed action plan
• Must be in writing
• Education of all team members
• Venue-specific

3
Rationale for EAP

• Emergencies are unplanned events
• NCAA (college), NFSHSA (high school)
• NCAA any institution-sponsored px, contest,
  out-of-season px, skills session
• Legal basis
• Accepted standard of care
• Negligence
• Foreseeability

4
3 Central Goals of EAP

• Maintain CV Function
• Maintain CNS Function
• Do no harm!

5
NATA Position Statement

• Each organization must have a written emergency
  plan which is flexible for any emergency
  situation
• Plan should be in writing and distributed to ATC,
  ATS, physicians, AD, coaches,etc.
• Identifies roles of personnel
• Specify equipment, location, level of training,
  and maintenance

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Position Statement (cont)

• Lines of communication
• Venue specific plan
• Should include name of facility where athlete
  will be taken
• Documentation
• Review and rehearsal of plan
• Legal duty

7
Roles of Personnel

• Certified Athletic Trainer
• Athletic Training Student
• Team Physician
• Visiting ATC/ATS
• Coach, official
• EMT

8
Equipment

• Phone (easily accessible)
• Spineboard
• Splints
• AED
• Oxygen
• First Aid Supplies
• Wound care, biohazard
• Masks, access tools
• Specific to each sport

9
Making the Call

• Type of Emergency
• Injury
• Present condition of athlete
• Current Assistance
• Exact Location
• ALWAYS hang up last

10
Waiting for Help

• Meet EMS
• Assist EMS
• Accompany athlete
• Parental Notification

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Documentation

• EAP in writing
• Consent to treat forms (implied if uncon.)
• Treatment for athletes under 18
• Emergency contact for athletes family
• EAP training/equipment maintenance log
• Events of the emergency situation
• Review/change after an emergency situation

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Things to Do as an ATS

• Know EAP for the event
• Establish each persons role
• Locate necessary equipment
• Discuss how to make the call
• Know venue addresses, phone numbers,
• Learn skills to provide while waiting for help
• Be aware of documentation

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Summary

• Written, accessible EAP
• Education/Communication
• Practice makes perfect!!!

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Establish Emergency Action Plan

• First assignment as an ATS!!!!!
• Refer to Example Template
• NATA Position Statement Emergency Planning in
  Athletics (posted on website)
• JAT, 200237(1)99-104.

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EAP Assignment

• Define all roles (EMS, physician, ATC,.)
• All people must use their individual area of
  expertise in emergency situation
• Equipment maintenance, location, rehearsal,
  retrieval
• Pre-season communication (EMS, coaches,
  athletes,.)
• How to access EMS

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EAP Assignment, cont.

• Must be sport-specific
• Include any barriers to plan
• Address ALL locales of team
• Address volunteer practices
• Clarity, neatness, grammer, ect
• Due Friday, Oct. 8, 2004