FLOWCHART

Skate Canada Concussion Pathway

1
Pre-Season Education Resource

All individuals and their parent or legal guardian (if under 18 years of age) must review the Pre-Education Resource and sign the Acknowledgement Sheet within 60 days of registration.

Pre-Season Concussion Education Resource
Pre-Season Concussion Education Acknowledgement

IMPACT TO THE HEAD, FACE, NECK, OR BODY OCCURS

HEAD INJURY IS SUSPECTED

2
Head Injury Recognition

Consult Skate Canada’s Concussion Recognition Tool to help identify concussions in children, adolescents and adults.

Skate Canada’s How to Recognize a Concussion Tool
Is a more serious head or spine injury suspected?

Remove from Sport / Physical Activity

If an individual is suspected of sustaining a concussion and there is no concern for a more serious head or spine injury, the individual should be immediately removed from the ice.

Is a licensed healthcare professional present?
3a
Emergency Medical Assessment

An ambulance should be called immediately to transfer the individual to the nearest emergency department for further medical assessments.

3b
Sideline Assessment

The individual should be taken to a quiet area and undergo a Sideline Medical Assessment

Must be completed by: Athletic therapist, physiotherapist, medical doctor

SCAT5 | Child SCAT5

Is a concussion suspected?

Return to sport / Physical activity

4
Medical Assessment

A medical assessment letter must be provided to the individual with a suspected concussion. The medical assessment is to determine whether the individual has been diagnosed with a concussion or not.

Must be completed by: Licensed healthcare professionals such as medical doctor and/or nurse practitioner.

Medical Assessment Letter
Was a concussion diagnosed?

Return to sport / Physical activity

5
Concussion Management

The individual must provide their coach, skating club board of directors or school administrators with a Medical Clearance Letter that specifies they are cleared to return to skate, train and/or coach.

Must be completed by: Medical doctor, nurse practitioner, team athletic therapist or physiotherapist.

Return-to-School Strategy, Sport-Specific Return-to-Sport Strategy
Does the individual have persistent symptoms?*
6
Multidisciplinary Concussion Care

If available, individuals who experience persistent post-concussion symptoms may benefit from multidisciplinary concussion care with licensed professionals that are trained in traumatic brain injury.

7
Return to Sport Medical Clearance

The individual must provide their coach, skating club board of directors or school administrators with a Medical Clearance Letter that specifies they are cleared to return to skate, train and/or coach.

Must be completed by: Licensed healthcare professionals such as medical doctor and/or nurse practitioner.

Medical Clearance Letter

RESOURCES

For full details please review Skate Canada’s Concussion Protocol.


*Persistent symptoms: lasting > 4 weeks in children & youth or > 2 weeks in adults