"A win for athletic trainers" Bill to update Ohio practice act awaits governor's signature

by Stephanie Kuzydym, WKRC

Wednesday, September 29th 2021

https://local12.com/news/investigates/athletes-at-risk/a-win-for-athletic-trainers-bill-to-update-ohio-practice-act-awaits-governors-signature-cincinnati

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WKRC) – A state representative called Wednesday a win for athletic trainers and athletes across Ohio. That’s because a bill involving athlete health and safety is headed to the governor’s desk.

House Bill 176 will update the practice act for athletic trainers for the first time in 30 years to better reflect their current training and education.

Local 12's "Athletes AT Risk?" project has been following the bill for two years and we were on the House floor Wednesday when the bill passed with the Senate’s amendment with a 92-0 vote.

“Today is a great day to understand that the training and education that athletic trainers are receiving on a daily basis and, in some aspects, is now going to be shown in these sporting events,” Rep. Thomas Hall said.

Currently, athletic trainers aren’t allowed to provide lifesaving measures like providing an EpiPen, inhaler, glucagon or even Tylenol because of the language of the current practice act.

The revised version of the practice act would allow athletic trainers to do what they are already taught and trained for in school and apply that to the sidelines they work on. Athletic trainers are considered the health care providers of the sideline, but with the current practice act, they are often asked to choose between their license and providing the proper health care.

The bill has had quite a journey. It originally was House Bill 484 during the 133rd General Assembly. It was introduced in the second year of a two-year session by local representatives Cindy Abrams (Harrison-R) and Rick Carfagna (Genoa Township-R).

That bill quickly passed through the House but was never heard by the Senate Health Committee, largely because it was dealing with coronavirus-related legislation in the fall of 2020.

The new general assembly began in January 2021 and the bill was reintroduced as House Bill 176 by Carfagna and local representative Thomas Hall (Madison Township-R).

It again passed unanimously through the House Health Committee (16-0) and then off the House floor (95-0). Then, it was referred to the Senate Health Committee where a slight amendment was made that prohibits athletic trainers from being able to inject into a tendon or ligament. It passed out of the Senate’s health committee with a 5-1 vote, then off the Senate floor (31-1).

Because of the amendment, the bill had to go back to the House for concurrence, or that they agreed with the change to the bill.

Pediatrician visit recommended after COVID-19 diagnosis, before return to sports

By: Jatara McGee

September 1, 2021

https://www.wlwt.com/article/pediatrician-visit-recommended-after-covid-19-diagnosis-before-return-to-sports/37458851#

CINCINNATI —

With fall athletics underway and with the threat of COVID-19 still present, medical professionals are encouraging parents and schools to stay aware of guidance surrounding COVID-19 and kids who play sports.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital follows return to sports guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics. It recommends every child who contracts COVID-19 sees a pediatrician before returning to sports practices or games.

Chris Peltier is a community pediatrician and director of General and Community Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's. He is also the president-elect of the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

"All of those kids that have covid that play sports need to be seen in their primary care pediatrician's offices before they can be released to play sports," Peltier said. "Just like with a concussion, kids that have COVID infection need to be evaluated prior to returning to sports."

Peltier said children need to be examined to make sure they haven't suffered heart issues which are rare but serious.

"The reasons these guidelines came about was the small risk of developing myocarditis or inflammation around the heart after COVID infection," he said.

The recommendations from the AAP say that a child with an asymptomatic or mild case of COVID infection should see their primary care provider for a physical exam.

Kids and teens who have moderate symptoms, for example, more than four days of fever, myalgia, chills or lethargy, should see a pediatric cardiologist to be evaluated and for an EKG.

Children who have a severe case that leads to an ICU stay, intubation or MIS-C diagnosis are also recommended to visit a pediatric cardiologist. The AAP also recommends an exercise restriction for three to six months.

Peltier said the overwhelming number of kids examined after COVID-19 are cleared to play sports. Still, the precaution is important to protect kids suffering from rare side effects.

"Very mild myocarditis might cause chest pain, shortness of breath, some exercise intolerance. But unchecked and at its worst, it could result in sudden death, which is what we see in an athlete who just, unfortunately, collapses on the field or on the court and is not able to be revived," Peltier said.

Each school district is following different guidance when it comes to getting student-athletes back on the field. Many are working closely with local health departments. That is the case for Mason City Schools and Christina Hare, one of three athletic trainers.

"The general role of the athletic trainer is to keep athletes safe," she said. "Everyone is different. COVID doesn't look the same on any athlete."

All athletes are required to bring a doctor's note clearing them for practice before they can begin team activities. Last year Mason used similar protocol for each athlete coming back after COVID-19.

"The return to play was a step-by-step gradual increase in activity, so similar to our concussion protocol. Every day there was just a ramp-up of intensity and duration of practice," Hare said.

This year they are relying on guidance from each individual's doctor who decides the pace an athlete returns.

Empowering athletes to speak up is also part of Hare's role.

"Be honest and to please look at the bigger picture of things," she said. "This is one season of your life. We don't want to make it the last season."