Update on concussion management for the Rhode Island clinician

Concussions are common injuries with increasing diagnostic incidence. The 4th International Conference on Concussion in Sport, held in November 2012 in Zurich, revised consensus statements regarding the definition of a concussion, diagnostic criteria, and management. Return-to-play guidelines require a graded return to activity in which concussed athletes remain symptom-free. In order to improve awareness pertaining to concussion diagnosis and management, legislation has now been enacted in all fifty states. Rhode Island enacted into law the School and Youth Programs Concussion Act in 2010, which increases awareness of concussions for athletes, coaches, teachers, school nurses and parents/guardians through written information and mandatory training for coaches. Athletes must be removed from practice/competition and cannot return until a physician has evaluated and cleared them. [Full text available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2015-02.asp, free with no login].