Injuries should be reported to the West Ranch High School Sports Medicine staff and the athlete’s coach as soon as the athlete realizes he/she is injured.
The West Ranch High School Sports Medicine staff will evaluate the injury and, based upon the evaluation, make a determination as to what the most appropriate course of care for the athlete. Treatment will be based upon the athletic trainer’s experience, established protocols and standing orders furnished by our team physicians and/or caring physician. In most cases, injuries are minor in nature and the athlete can be successfully treated in the athletic training room.
If the injury is more extensive or will require further medical evaluation by a physician, the athlete’s parent/guardian will be contacted by the athletic trainer and provided with information about the injury and can recommend a physician or help with appointments to speed up the down time.
It is essential that ALL athletic injuries be reported to the West Ranch High School Sports Medicine staff when they occur.
Unfortunately, we do not have the manpower to send an athletic trainer on the road with all athletic teams. If an athlete is injured while on the road, he/she should report that injury to his/her coach and then to a sports medicine staff member as soon as possible following their injury.
If the host school employs an athletic trainer, our coaching staff may elect to have the athlete examined by that athletic trainer who will most likely provide basic care for the injury (i.e.; ice, wrapping, etc.) and refer the athlete back to our sports medicine staff.
The athlete should report the injury to the athletic trainer the next day in school. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT HE/SHE DOES THIS! In case of significant injury, parents will be contacted about the injury directly from that site and consulted about the problem.