Rangely focuses on student safety within its school athletic program

RANGELY I As athletic events nationwide take on the task of improving safety standards for competitors, Rangely Junior/Senior High School has begun efforts toward improving the well-being of its athletes. This year, the middle and high school athletic programs started a new initiative to protect their athletes from the dangers of concussions.
The ImPACT test (or Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is a computerized neuro-cognitive assessment system that can be easily and quickly administered to athletes by a coach or athletic director. It is currently used by NASCAR, teams in the NFL, MLB, NHL, WWE, select military units and now student athletes at RJ/SHS.
The process for implementation and use of the ImPACT test was developed by the Rangely schools’ athletic directors Jimmie Mergelman and Jeremey Lowry and Rangely District Hospital’s Sharma Vaughn.
The test is administered to athletes at the beginning of their first season in order to establish a baseline for the athlete’s verbal and visual memory, processing speed and reaction time. The baseline test takes between 25 and 45 minutes and is currently administered by Lohry.
During an athletic event, if a concussion is suspected, the athlete is immediately sent to a physician at Rangely District Hospital along with the results of their baseline test. While in the physician’s care, the ImPACT test is repeated, giving coaches, parents and medical staff more information on the existence and severity of the concussion. If a concussion is confirmed, the student returns to the physician two to three weeks later to again take the post-injury test to determine whether their symptoms have increased or decreased.
Lohry said the testing system has already been utilized on four students who sustained head injuries and that “having this testing system has allowed for us to monitor the concussion symptoms and has also given us a method for allowing the athletes to return to play in a safe time and manner.”
In an effort to make sure the staff is constantly updating procedures and best practices, the test administrator and a representative of Rangely District Hospital meet periodically to evaluate the process and to make any necessary adjustments.
The testing comes at an annual cost of $500 total to the district. Fortunately for the school district, Rangely District Hospital has agreed to pay 50 percent of the fee.
By developing this cooperative effort between the schools and physicians, the school district has also been able to create and implement a school plan for the injured athlete upon their return to school that combines the efforts of the educational staff and doctors.
The REAP plan, which was developed by the Rocky Mountain Youth Sports Medicine Institute, helps teachers understand the injury affecting the student and clarifies the accommodations that student will need while they heal.
REAP reminds teachers to remove/reduce physical and mental demands, educate the student, parents and teaching staff on all potential symptoms, adjust or accommodate academically and pace the student back into learning and activity.
The REAP program is endorsed by the Colorado High School Activities Association and helps promote a well-rounded recovery for the injured student.
At a time when athletes everywhere are re-evaluating their safety standards and treatment of head injuries, Rangely schools and Rangely District Hospital are proving they take student health and safety seriously by being on the forefront of concussion assessment.