Policies and Procedures

As your daughter/son prepares to participate in the athletic program at Hoffman Estates High School, we would like to take this opportunity to outline the policies and procedures of the Athletic Training Room. We do this hoping that we can have a successful athletic health care program where there is excellent communication between your daughter/son, you, the attending physician, the coach, and us.

The sports medicine staff is composed of three certified/licensed athletic trainers, student athletic trainers, and a team physician. Student athletic trainers will NEVER be allowed to make medical decisions, analyze or diagnose injuries.
The Athletic Training Room is a health care facility where an athlete receives treatment, care, and preventative assistance as well as rehabilitation. The athletic trainer is responsible for providing services in an attempt to maintain the athlete's level of competition at its highest degree.

PROCEDURES

It is the athlete's responsibility to report to the athletic trainer and coach all injuries, and illnesses, as soon as possible. In the event of an emergency, the athletic trainer will:
  • Notify parents, or alternate adult if necessary. The athletic trainer will secure additional health care and related transportation
  • Call the paramedics in the event that a parent or alternate cannot be reached.
  • Call the paramedics when the injury is limb/life threatening, then call the parent/alternate
    • If an illness/injury occurs, that is non-life threatening, the athlete shall report immediately to the athletic trainer. If the injury is not reported to the athletic trainer, and a physician is consulted, a note from the physician is required for return to participation. If your son/daughter has the need to see a physician due to an athletic injury, we are familiar with area physicians who treat athletic injuries and understand the high school athlete. We will also be happy to work with your family physician.

    A medical referral form will be given to the athlete when the need for further medical care is warranted. The form is designed to provide a means of communication between the physician, the family, and the athletic training staff.

    ATHLETES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE AFTER BEING SEEN BY A PHYSICIAN, WITHOUT A NOTE!

    Decisions regarding the availability of an athlete for practice or game competition require the cooperative efforts of the athlete, coach, athletic trainer, physician, parents, and athletic director. Decisions will be made based on sound medical judgment with the outcome being good athletic health care for the athlete. The following guidelines will be used to determine player status:

  • If an athlete is under the care of a physician, the physician shall determine the availability of the athlete. Under no circumstances shall the coach allow the athlete to participate without specific direction from the sports medicine staff. A "no-play" decision by the physician will always be followed by the District.
  • If the athlete is NOT under the care of a physician, the responsibility regarding the availability of an athlete for participation rests with the Athletic Training staff.
  • If the athlete or coach disregards the decision, the athletic director will be notified.

HOURS:

The Athletic Training Room will be staffed on school days from 2:00 PM until all practices/games are completed. On Saturdays the office will open no later than 7:30 AM and remain open until all practices/games are complete. On School Holidays, when the building does not open until 8:00 AM, the Athletic Training Room will be open from 8:00 AM to Noon. One, or both, of the Certified Athletic Trainers will be present for all home events and practices. Coverage for away events will be based on availability of the staff.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact us. The direct dial telephone number is 847-755-5790. Please leave a message if we are unavailable to take your call.

Instructions for care of an athletic injury at home

Apply the RICES principal to control swelling, relieve pain, lessen spasm, and aid in healing:
R = rest
I = ice (real ice with a barrier between the ice and the skin, 20 minutes on every two hours)
C = compression (elastic wrap, do not wind too tight)
E = elevation (above the heart)
S = support (crutches/cane/tape, etc.)

Various forms of heat may interfere with the healing process. This includes Ben Gay,   hot soaks, epsom salts, warm whirlpool, etc. It may feel good, but it can lengthen the  recovery period.

Consult your family physician if signs and/or symptoms of the injury increase or      worsen. Be sure to get any treatment recommendations and activity restrictions in writing for the Athletic Training Staff to follow.

The athletic trainers will keep you informed of your student-athlete's injury progress. However, it does require them to see the athlete daily. The coach will also be kept informed. Proper home treatment of athletic injuries is pivotal to the convalescence of the problem. Treatment will be performed daily in the athletic training room, but valuable hours at night and on weekends would be lost in the healing process without the cooperation of the parents/guardians. If you wish to discuss your child's injury treatment with the athletic trainer, we can be contacted at 847-755-5790.