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VATA Recommendations Regarding Appropriate Medical Care During
Post-Season Athletic Events
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In order to promote the provision of appropriate medical care for post-season athletic events, the Virginia Athletic Trainers’ Association (VATA) has developed the following recommendations and urges Virginia’s licensed athletic trainers (VATLs) to implement these recommendations when working these contests. In addition, the VATA will continue to work with the Virginia High School League (VHSL) and its Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) to enhance the medical care provided during post-season events. Finally, the VATA Secondary School Committee strongly encourages communication between the host VATL and the VATLs for each school participating in the event. The purpose of this communication is to alleviate any potential misunderstanding regarding what services will be available at the post-season event.
General Recommendations
- A VATL should be hired and available onsite whenever possible for all post-season athletic events
- In the absence of a VATL or if otherwise deemed necessary by the host VATL, other medical professionals (physician, EMS) should be secured by the tournament director/host VATL and available on-site.
- Athletic Trainers not licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine should not be hired to provide athletic healthcare services
- The role of the VATL (and other medical professionals) covering these events is outlined in VHSL Rules Regarding Return to Play
- Tournament directors, VHSL staff members, or school administrators may contact the VATA for assistance in securing a VATL to cover a post-season event (see contact info below)
- When asked to do so, the VATA will make every effort to find a VATL to cover the post-season athletic event. However, the VATA can provide no guarantees in regards to arranging coverage for a particular event.
Specific Recommendations
- VATLs covering post-season athletic events are expected to provide comprehensive athletic healthcare services. These services include:
- Injury/illness evaluation and treatment before, during and after post-season athletic events
- Making appropriate referrals for further medical care
- Development and implementation of an Emergency Action Plan that is specific to the competition venue/facility
- Each competition venue/facility will have a dedicated facility for injury evaluation and treatment, including:
- Sink with running water
- Ample injury ice
- Hydrocollator (when available)
- Host VATLs will introduce themselves to visiting teams/coaches and the VATL for each participating team prior to the event/competition
- Host VATLs will station themselves in a clearly identified, easily accessible area in close proximity to the competition area
- VATLs for teams traveling to post-season events are STRONGLY encouraged to contact the host VATL prior to the event
Other Considerations
- Certain events may require modifications to the above guidelines. Host VATLs are asked to clearly communicate deviations to the expected to visiting coaches and the VATL for each school participating in the event.
- The VATA liaison to VHSL Sports Medicine Advisory Committee will work to make available in advance the locations and dates of VHSL sponsored post-season events
- Problems, issues or concerns related to the coverage of post-season events should be reported to VATA Secondary School Committee Chair John Reynolds and/or the appropriate VATA Regional Representative.
Questions or comments related to this document should be directed to John Reynolds, VATA Secondary School Committee Chair.
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