Sacramento Leads Way for High School Concussion Treatment
The Sacramento area is leading the way for concussion detection and treatment in high school sports.
On Tuesday, the Sacramento Valley Concussion Care Consortium was announced at John F. Kennedy High School; it is a collaboration of Wells Fargo’s student insurance division, Kaiser Permanente, Mercy Neurological Institute, Sutter Health and UC Davis Health System.
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The Consortium launched the program “Play It Safe,” which educates, detects, and treats concussions in high school athletes.
“Concussions are dangerous,” said Kaiser Neuropsychologist Dr. Catherine Broomand, “If they’re not treated properly (concussions) could have really devastating consequences. (Athletes are) risking death, they’re risking long term permanent brain damage.”
One athlete who is living with the consequences is 15 year old Colby Butcher.
“I’m really short tempered. I don’t have a lot of tolerance like I used to have,” Butcher said about the changes he’s noticed after his concussions. “If I have to focus on something it’s impossible.”
Unfortunately, Butcher has sustained multiple concussions.
“My first couple of concussions were from rugby,” Butcher said. “Last spring, I had three in the month of March.”
Preventing problems like Butcher’s is the goal of “Play It Safe.” One of its most helpful features is a baseline cognitive exam that’s given to all athletes before they play.
“It looks at attention, processing speed, memory and reaction time,” explained Dr. Broomand, “If (the athletes) have a concussion we know what their abilities were before the concussion.”
The program is in its beginning stages, but it’s already being looked at as a model for high schools across the country. John F. Kennedy High School is already implementing the program.
“Retiring helmets that are too old now; we’re looking at concussion safe helmets,” said principal Chad Shweitzer, “If concussions do happen, making sure (students are) not returning to sports until they’re cleared by medical professionals.”
As for Butcher, he’s glad to see “Play It Safe” started here and said there are lifesaving lessons.
“Take one step back, take two steps forward,” he said, “‘Yes, I’m setting back right now, not playing football, but I know all this time I take off will pay off and I will be back in sports.”