Chapter 2: Health Care Administration in Athletic Training

1. Chapter 2: Health Care Administration in Athletic Training Jennifer L. Doherty, MS, LAT, ATC Academic Program Director, Entry-Level ATEP Florida International University Acute Care and Injury Prevention

2. Policies and Procedures Manual • Policies = clear, written-out statements of basic rules • Procedures = describe the process • To be covered throughout presentation • Abbreviated version • Should be provided to athletes and parents (if financially feasible)

3. Components of a P&P Manual • Scope of the AT program • Who will it serve? • Use of equipment and supplies • Budgetary concerns • Facility use and maintenance • Design, access, etc… • Risk management plans • Job descriptions • Chains of command and supervision

4. Emergency Telephones • Accessibility to phones in all major areas of activity is a must • Should be able to contact outside emergency help and be able to call for additional athletic training assistance • Radios, cell/digital phones provide a great deal of flexibility

5. Budgetary Concerns • Different settings • Different size budgets & space allocations • Equipment needs and supplies vary depending on the setting • College vs. High School • Continuous planning and prioritizing is necessary to effectively manage monetary allocations to meet programmatic goals

6. Budgetary Concerns: Supplies • Expendable Supplies • Cannot be reused • First aid and injury prevention supplies • Non-expendable Supplies • Re-useable supplies • Ace wraps, scissors, etc… • Yearly inventory and records must be maintained in both areas

7. Budgetary Concerns: Equipment • Equipment = items that can be used for a number of years • Capital Equipment • Remain in the training room • Ice machine, tables, etc… • Non-consumable Capital Equipment • Crutches, coolers, training kits, etc…

8. Budget Considerations • Purchasing Systems • Direct buy vs. competitive bidding • Lease alternative • Additional Budget Considerations • Telephone and postage expenses • Utilities – heating/cooling, electricity • Contracts for outside services • Purchases relative to liability insurance and professional development

9. Developing a Risk Management Plan • Emergency Action Plan • Accessing emergency personnel outside setting in the event of emergency • Include transportation of athletes to emergency facilities • Meeting with outside personnel is necessary to determine roles and rules regarding athlete and equipment care

10. Human Resources and Personnel Issues • Specific policies are established relative to hiring, firing, performance evaluations and promotions • Roles and responsibilities must be established • Job descriptions - job specifications, accountability, code of conduct, and scope

11. Facility Design • Design will vary drastically based on number of athletes, teams, and various needs of the program • Size • Varies between settings • Must take advantage and manage space effectively

12. Location • Outside entrance • Limits doors that must be accessed when transporting injured athletes • Proximity to locker rooms and toilet facilities • Illumination • Well lighted throughout • Natural lighting is a plus

13. Storage Facilities • Often lack ample storage space • Storage in training room that holds general supplies and special equipment • Large walk-in storage cabinet for bulk supplies • Refrigerator for equipment, ice cups, medicine and additional supplies

14. Office Space • All areas of athletic training room should be supervised without having to leave the office space (glass partitions) • Equipment should include, desk, chair, tack board, telephone, computer (if necessary) and independent locking system

17. Pre-participation Examinations • Purpose = identify “at risk” athletes • Should include • Medical history, physical exam, orthopedic screening, wellness screening • Establishes a baseline • Satisfies insurance and liability issues

18. Medical History • Complete prior to exam to identify past and existing medical conditions • Update yearly and closely review by medical personnel • Collect medical release and insurance info at the same time • Physical Examination • Should include assessment of height, weight, body composition, blood pressure, pulse, vision, skin, dental, ear, nose, throat, heart, lungs, abdomen, lymphatic, genitalia, maturation index, urinalysis and blood work

19. Maturity Assessment • Means to protect young physically active athletes • Orthopedic Screening • Part of physical exam or separate • Various degrees of detail concerning exam • Wellness Screening • Purpose is to determine if athlete is engaged in a healthy lifestyle

20. Sport Disqualification • Certain injuries and illnesses warrant special concern when dealing with sports • Recommendations can be made • American with Disabilities Act (1990) • Dictates that athlete makes the final decision • Potential disqualifying factors should be determined during the pre-participation exam

21. Injury Reports • Injury reports serve as future references • Reports can shed light on events that may be hazy following an incident • Necessary in case of litigation • All reports should be filed in the athletic training room

22. Treatment Log • Sign-in to keep track of services • Daily treatments can be recorded • Can be used as legal documentation in instances of litigation Personal Information Card • Contains contact information for family, personal physician, and insurance information

23. Annual Report • Summary of athletic training room functions • Can be used to evaluate recommend potential changes for program • Includes number and types of injuries seen/treated

24. Release of Medical Records • Written consent is required • Waiver must be signed for any release (include specifics of information to be released and to whom)

25. Computer as Tool for Athletic Trainer • Indispensable tool • Can make the job more efficient with appropriate software • Must maintain security and confidentiality

26. Components of a P&P Manual • Scope of the AT program • Who will it serve? • Use of equipment and supplies • Budgetary concerns • Facility use and maintenance • Design, access, etc… • Risk management plans • Job descriptions • Chains of command and supervision