No question it's better than nothing but in one of the stories last night on CNN and EMT checked the kid and thought he was alright. Unfortunately, he showed signs of a concussion that were missed by someone who is not trained in that key area.

 

Was it an EMT or a Paramedic? Apples and oranges, and most people don't know the difference.

Was it an EMT or a Paramedic? Apples and oranges, and most people don't know the difference.

 

They didn't say.

 

Are paramedics trained in concussion diagnosis and treatment? Heat treatment?

 

I wonder how many of the EMTs we see at games are paramedics?

 

You then have the issue of availability. They're not coming to every practice. I never see them at basketball games or baseball games.

They didn't say.

 

Are paramedics trained in concussion diagnosis and treatment? Heat treatment?

 

I wonder how many of the EMTs we see at games are paramedics?

 

You then have the issue of availability. They're not coming to every practice. I never see them at basketball games or baseball games.

 

Paramedics are well trained in the diagnosis and treatment of all forms of head injury, and are likewise trained in the diagnosis and treatment of Heat and Cold Emergencies. If fact, a paramedic can provide more treatment for those type of conditions then CAT. Paramedics can administer IV fluids and many medications to patient experiencing medical emergencies. CAT's can not administer medications or initiate IV's.

 

Paramedics are a higher level of care then CAT's and a Paramedic staffed ambulance should be on site for every high school football game. There are at all games in Greenup and Boyd Counties. That should be a requirement.

 

But, I digress, I too think CAT should be on staff of every football program. Even though Paramedics are a higher level of care, CAT can do much more then just treat head injuries and heat related emergencies.

Paramedics are well trained in the diagnosis and treatment of all forms of head injury, and are likewise trained in the diagnosis and treatment of Heat and Cold Emergencies. If fact, a paramedic can provide more treatment for those type of conditions then CAT. Paramedics can administer IV fluids and many medications to patient experiencing medical emergencies. CAT's can not administer medications or initiate IV's.

 

Paramedics are a higher level of care then CAT's and a Paramedic staffed ambulance should be on site for every high school football game. There are at all games in Greenup and Boyd Counties. That should be a requirement.

 

But, I digress, I too think CAT should be on staff of every football program. Even though Paramedics are a higher level of care, CAT can do much more then just treat head injuries and hear related emergencies.

 

I've always looked at the CAT as the first line of defense and the caretaker on the field/court.

I've always looked at the CAT as the first line of defense and the caretaker on the field/court.

 

Oh, I agree. Like I said, CAT's can do a lot for the players on the team and are needed. I just think it should be a game requirement that a Paramedic staffed Ambulance should be at the school for every football game. If fact, it's so common in our area, when we travel for a game and an ambulance is not there, our fans ask where it is.

Oh, I agree. Like I said, CAT's can do a lot for the players on the team and are needed. I just think it should be a game requirement that a Paramedic staffed Ambulance should be at the school for every football game. If fact, it's so common in our area, when we travel for a game and an ambulance is not there, our fans ask where it is.

 

Do you know that in some NKY schools there are NO ambulances present at a varsity fotball game? I cannot remember all of them from this year's season but I do remember Cooper not having one at all. I know that some Louisville schools do not either.

 

I would have to say, if I had my choice of an ATC (the proper terminology for an Athletic Trainer Certified instead of a CAT) or an EMT I would gladly have an ATC on site. They are much more knowledgeable IMO when it comes to an evaluation of a concussion. If you want to have someone back boarded or splinted for a broken bone then the EMT is your person, but if it is for AN ON FIELD evaluation of an injury I would go with an ATC any day of the week!

Do you know that in some NKY schools there are NO ambulances present at a varsity fotball game? I cannot remember all of them from this year's season but I do remember Cooper not having one at all. I know that some Louisville schools do not either.

 

I would have to say, if I had my choice of an ATC (the proper terminology for an Athletic Trainer Certified instead of a CAT) or an EMT I would gladly have an ATC on site. They are much more knowledgeable IMO when it comes to an evaluation of a concussion. If you want to have someone back boarded or splinted for a broken bone then the EMT is your person, but if it is for AN ON FIELD evaluation of an injury I would go with an ATC any day of the week!

Kenton Co does not have an ambulance on site, however, each high school has a station within a less than 5 minute window and probably the reason you dont see them on site for games. In more rural areas, it could be 30 + minutes before one could get there.

As stated above, Bracken Co. does not have a Certified trainer on staff for football (which I feel should be mandatory), but EMT's are at every football game. As for the other sports, I'm not certain there are EMT's at every game, but the ambulance bay is maybe 1000 feet from the HS where someone is on duty 24/7.

Do you know that in some NKY schools there are NO ambulances present at a varsity fotball game? I cannot remember all of them from this year's season but I do remember Cooper not having one at all. I know that some Louisville schools do not either.

 

I would have to say, if I had my choice of an ATC (the proper terminology for an Athletic Trainer Certified instead of a CAT) or an EMT I would gladly have an ATC on site. They are much more knowledgeable IMO when it comes to an evaluation of a concussion. If you want to have someone back boarded or splinted for a broken bone then the EMT is your person, but if it is for AN ON FIELD evaluation of an injury I would go with an ATC any day of the week!

 

That's why I said a "Paramedic" staffed Ambulance should be at every game. An EMT and a Paramedic are two totally different things.

What if a school can not afford either a A.T. or a school nurse? Do they Stop all sports and cancel classes. For some schools the well being of students takes precedent over atheletes. I went to a school that we were fortunate enough to have a A.T. full time after school and on the weekends, however we did not have a school nurse. I did not miss a day of school in my 4 years and never had to be attended to (ice tub, taped ankles, saturday morning rehab, etc.) in my 4 years of football. So essentially I did not need either. If my child was a non-sports playing student I would much rather there be a school nurse than just an after hours A.T.

Here's a thought: What about a combination school nurse/athletic trainer? Obviously, the more rural areas miss out on having that access to physical therapy clinics and other operations that specialize in athletic training. What if the school nurse(s) was getting a combo degree and could therefore be used for everyday things during the school day and as a trainer during athletic events/practices? Are all schools required to have a school nurse?

 

Nothing?

Kenton Co does not have an ambulance on site, however, each high school has a station within a less than 5 minute window and probably the reason you dont see them on site for games. In more rural areas, it could be 30 + minutes before one could get there.

 

Scott DOES have an ambulance present at varsity football games

That's why I said a "Paramedic" staffed Ambulance should be at every game. An EMT and a Paramedic are two totally different things.

 

Sorry I misspoke. I still would have an athletic trainer over a paramedic any day of the week for the same things I said.

Here's a thought: What about a combination school nurse/athletic trainer? Obviously, the more rural areas miss out on having that access to physical therapy clinics and other operations that specialize in athletic training. What if the school nurse(s) was getting a combo degree and could therefore be used for everyday things during the school day and as a trainer during athletic events/practices? Are all schools required to have a school nurse?

 

This is virtual impossible. An athletic trainer has to have so many hours (800 contact hours) and then you have the nursing clinical hours. Plus on top of this, besides the basic science classes, the classes are very different. If someone really wanted to do this, I would say they would be in school for approximately 7 - 8 years and I am not sure many out there would want this.

Nothing?

 

I think schools prefer to outsource for their ATC.

 

Is a school nurse usually an employee?

 

Do schools still have school nurses? I don't think I had one ever .