PEDIATRICS Vol. 95 No. 2 February 1995, pp. 216-218
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Genuardi, F. J.
Right arrow Articles by King, W. D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Genuardi, F. J.
Right arrow Articles by King, W. D.

Inappropriate Discharge Instructions for Youth Athletes Hospitalized for Concussion

Frank J. Genuardi MD, MPH1 and William D. King RPh, MPH, DrPH2

1 Department of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
2 Southeast Child Safety Institute, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

Objective. To evaluate the medical care, especially the discharge instructions regarding return to participation, received by youth athletes hospitalized for a closed head injury.

Methods. We examined the records of all patients admitted over a 5-year period (1987 through 1991) to The Children's Hospital of Alabama for a sports-related closed head injury. Descriptive information was recorded and discharge instructions reviewed. Injury severity was graded according to guidelines current during the study period, as well as those outlined most recently by the Colorado Medical Society, which have been endorsed by a number of organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics. Discharge instructions recorded for each patient were then compared with those recommended in the guidelines.

Results. We identified 33 patients with sports-related closed head injuries. Grade 1 concussions (least severe) occurred in 8 patients (24.2%), grade 2 in 10 (30.3%), and grade 3 (most severe) in 15 (45.4%). Overall, discharge instructions were appropriate for only 10 patients (30.3%), including all with grade 1 concussions, but only 2 with a grade 2 (20.0%) and none with a grade 3 concussion.

Conclusion. All who care for youth athletes must become familiar with the guidelines for management of concussion to provide appropriate care and counseling and to avoid a tragic outcome.

Submitted on February 16, 1994
Accepted on May 19, 1994




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Br. J. Sports. Med.Home page
M D Pleacher, W W Dexter, and W M Heinz
Concussion management by primary care providers * Commentary
Br. J. Sports Med., January 1, 2006; 40(1): e2 - e2.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 CMAJHome page
A. Marchie and M. D. Cusimano
Bodychecking and concussions in ice hockey: Should our youth pay the price?
Can. Med. Assoc. J., July 22, 2003; 169(2): 124 - 128.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 CLIN PEDIATRHome page
J. J. Bazarian, T. Veenema, A. F. Brayer, and E. Lee
Knowledge of Concussion Guidelines Among Practitioners Caring for Children
Clinical Pediatrics, April 1, 2001; 40(4): 207 - 212.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 JWatch PsychiatryHome page
Returning to Sports after Concussion
Journal Watch Psychiatry, April 1, 1995; 1995(401): 17 - 17.
[Full Text]

Home page
 JWatch GeneralHome page
RETURNING TO SPORTS AFTER CONCUSSION: IS CAUTION FORGOTTEN?
Journal Watch (General), March 3, 1995; 1995(303): 8 - 8.
[Full Text]