NHL GM’s: Protocol For Concussion Evaluation To Start Immediately

Added on Mar 17, 2011 by J Merrill in

NFL

The NHL announced that beginning Wednesday they will be using a revised version of Protocol for Concussion Evaluation and Management. Starting immediately, players suspected of having a concussion will be removed from the game and sent to a quiet place free from distraction so they can be examined by the on-site team physician. The physician will use the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool test to evaluate the player. Symptoms include loss of consciousness, motor incoordination or balance problems, a blank or vacant look, slow to get up after a hit to the head, disorientation, clutching of the head after a hit or visible facial injury in combination with another symptom.

The NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman first brough up the changes on Monday, but said it took a few days to put it all together. Team physicians and trainers had to be contacted, and notified of the new rule changes. The league wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page.

Nashville GM David Poile said he felt this was the right thing to do, and its an obligation they have to make it as safe as possible. He said “That’s a huge change. It’s a very caring change to make sure we’re right. It’s the game of hockey, it’s going to be physical. As the caretakers we’re going to do everything possible to make it as safe as possible, but there are still going to be injuries.”

Poile talked about some of the changes they are currently talking about, and some they are implementing. After they notice you could be injured, Poile said “You take a 15-minute timeout. That’s a huge change. That’s a very caring change to make sure that we’re right. They’ve got to go into the dressing room to be with your doctor and your trainer and they go over all the criteria. There’s a test they’re going to have to perform and give them a little bit of time to make sure they get to their senses and they’re ready and willing to come back.”

Poile was also quick to point out that the game was changing, and they needed to change along with it. He said “The game has just evolved, and as it evolves you have to make these adjustments. To the NHL’s credit, we have been talking about the safety of the players and concussions for a long time. I’d say in the last year not a day goes by in my job where I’m not talking about it with a player, with a trainer or another general manager. Gary (Bettman) did a good job of being pro-active, of setting up criteria, and we’re working on it. In a year from now let’s hope there are less injuries, period.”

Another part of the new protocol, is that teams may be required to bring physicians along with them. Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero told the media that they have been considering doing this, and he only knows one team to do it. The Blackhawks. He said “That’s what we’re probably going to do. We’ve been talking about it for months. It’s something that we’re trying to work out with one of our two main doctors.”