Harm can occur as a result of many factors and differing circumstances. Safety is a global issue in health care and estimates of the size of the problem are staggering. Harm to the patient caused by infections, delays in treatment, medication errors, incorrect treatment and injuries due to devices are some of the topics that fill the literature on patient safety.

A review of the work environment for emeregncy practice highlights the need for staff safety. Certainly the prevention of injury to the caregiver, whatever the cause, is an area for workplace safety interventions

 

  

The S.T.O.P. Injuries program is a self-study, interactive learning tool that provides basic education and skill development in injury prevention

Alcohol Prevention Education

Safety Education

Alcohol Prevention Education

 Safety Education

Healthy Aging Education

Youth Driving Safety                                                                        

---

 

***In the just ended Louisiana legislative session Emergency Nurses joined forces with others across the state successfully defeating efforts to repeal the helmet law.  Also in this session we supported legislation aimed at prohibiting drivers from using text messaging while behind the wheel of an automobile.   This law included restriction of cell phone use by inexperienced drivers.***

 

 For more information regarding Louisiana's Emergency Response Network; please go to the following link>>>>>>>> http://www.LERN.la.gov  

 

 

 It’s better to miss one game than the whole season!!!!

 

LOUISIANA YOUTH CONCUSSION ACT

Act No. 314

During the Regular Session of 2011, the Louisiana Legislature passed the Louisiana Youth Concussion Act.  The act is a proactive movement to educate families and institutions on how to better serve and protect Louisiana’s youth. This act provides for: New concussion education requirements for professionals, who regularly interact with youth athletes, to help them recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion   The removal of youth athletes from competition upon sustaining a concussion to protect young athletes from harm   Requirements that must be satisfied for a youth athlete to return to play after sustaining a concussion or head injury to ensure their health   The dissemination of concussion information to inform the public of concussion risks

 

The legislative intent of the Louisiana Youth Concussion Act is clearly articulated in the act:

 

A)  Concussions are one of the most commonly reported injuries in children and adolescents who participate in sports and recreational activities.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that as many as three million nine hundred thousand sports-related and recreation-related concussions occur in the United States each year.  A concussion is caused by a blow or motion to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. The risk for long-term, chronic cognitive, physical, and emotional symptoms associated with the development of post-concussion syndrome and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, as well as the risk for catastrophic injuries or even death, is significant when a concussion or head injury is not properly recognized, evaluated, and managed.   B)   Continuing to play with a concussion or symptoms of head injury leaves the young athlete especially vulnerable to greater injury and even death.  The Legislature of Louisiana recognizes that, despite having generally recognized return-to-play standards for concussions and head injury, some affected youth athletes are prematurely returned to play resulting in actual or potential physical injury or death to youth athletes in the state of Louisiana.   C)   The Legislature of Louisiana further recognizes that it is in the best interest of the state to create a uniform education, training, and return-to-play protocol to be followed throughout the state.    Click to download a full copy of the Louisiana Youth Concussion Act.

 

Concussion Education Requirements

 

The act created new concussion education requirements for two defined groups, including A) the governing authority of each public and nonpublic elementary school, middle school, junior high school, and high school; and B) each private club or public recreation facility and each athletic league which sponsors youth athletic activities.  Here are the requirements:

 

 A)    The governing authority of each public and nonpublic elementary school, middle school, junior high school, and high school

 

1.  Prior to beginning of each athletic season, provide pertinent information to all coaches, officials, volunteers, youth athletes, and their parents or legal guardian which informs of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury, including the risks associated with continuing to play after a concussion or head injury. 

 

2.  Require each coach, whether such coach is employed or a volunteer, and every official of a youth athletic activity that involves interscholastic play to complete an annual concussion recognition education course which is in accordance with the provisions of Subsection C of this Section.

 

3.  Require as a condition of participation in any athletic activities that the youth athlete and the youth athlete's parents or legal guardian sign a concussion and head injury information sheet which provides adequate notice of the statutory requirements which must be satisfied in order for an athlete who has or is suspected to have suffered a concussion or head injury to return to play.

  

Click to access CDC’s Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports for training and educational materials.

Click to download the statutory requirements of the Louisiana Youth Concussion in Sports Act 314.   

Click to download the concussion and head injury information sheet that youth athletes and their parents/legal guardians are required to sign as a condition of participation in any athletic activities.

 

B)     Each private club or public recreation facility and each athletic league which sponsors youth athletic activities

 

1.  Prior to beginning of each athletic season, provide pertinent information to all coaches, officials, volunteers, youth athletes, and their parents or legal guardian which informs of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury, including the risks associated with continuing to play after a concussion or head injury.

 

2.  Require each volunteer coach for a youth athletic activity and each coach with whom the club, facility, or league directly contracts with, formally engages, or employs who coaches a youth athletic activity and each official to complete an annual concussion recognition course which is in accordance with the provisions of Subsection C of this Section.

 

3.  Require as a condition of participation in any athletic activities that the youth athlete and the youth athlete's parents or legal guardian sign a concussion and head injury information sheet which includes but is not limited to adequate notice of the statutory requirements which must be satisfied in order for an athlete who has or is suspected to have sustained a concussion or head injury to return to play. 

 

Click to access CDC’s Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports for training and educational materials.

Click to download the statutory requirements of the Louisiana Youth Concussion in Sports Act 314.   

Click to download the concussion and head injury information sheet that youth athletes and their parents/legal guardians are required to sign as a condition of participation in any athletic activities.

 

For additional information about concussions or other injury prevention topics click contact us. 

 

If you are interested in Injury Prevention, please contact  Rose Johnson at rosemlawrence@hotmail.com. We  would like to schedule new IP providor classes through out the state.  Let  Rose know  your interests so that we can plan courses to meet both your needs and those of our communities.