Published on August 12, 2011
Genesis, Illini Campus Provides Concussion Screening Tools To
High Schools
The crack of a helmet-to-helmet contact on a football field can be heard by spectators. A basketball player loses his footing rebounding a ball and bangs his head on the floor. A soccer player butts heads with another player.
All of these incidents are routine in athletics, but the results might not be routine. In every activity where there is motion and possible contact, concussions are possible.
Drew Owens of Moline receives a
baseline screening of his balance with
the assistance of physical therapist
Michelle Heitz at Genesis Medical
Center, Illini Campus.About 300,000 sport-related concussions occur each year in the United States, and the incidence is rising as athletes become bigger and stronger.
The physical therapy and rehabilitation department at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus in Silvis is responding to the growing trend by providing area high schools with better tools to assist in diagnosing and treating concussions.
Hundreds of student-athletes at Moline High School, Rock Island High School, United Township High School in East Moline and Rock Island Alleman High School will have free and unlimited access to a web-based concussion screening tool for the 2011-2012 school year. Genesis Concussion Management has donated the cost of the web-based program, Concussion Vital Signs, to each of the schools at a cost of $375 per school.
“Sports-related concussions are a vital issue at every level of sports activity and for every age group,’’ said Physical Therapist Connie Tauke, who is Rehabilitation Services Manager at Genesis, Illini Campus. “In virtually any activity with movement and contact, concussions are possible.”
She added, “Making Concussion Vital Signs available to the schools at no cost at a time when finances are tight for schools is just one piece of a comprehensive program we are providing.”
Genesis Concussion Management will also offer discounted baseline screenings of balance using Smart Balance Master. The machine can provide health professionals with a baseline balance function assessment of athletes before they have sustained a concussion.
If an athlete suffers a concussion, the athlete will then be reassessed to discover deviation from the baseline.
The same procedure can be used with Concussion Vital Signs, which measures cognitive function. A baseline is established and is available as a comparison with a post-injury screening.
Genesis Concussion Management has a team of health care professionals, including physical therapists, speech therapists, primary care physicians and physiatrists to work with athletes, school athletic trainers, coaches and parents to provide the best diagnostic tools and treatment plans.
“We have experienced the need in the region for a program like this and are pleased that we can make some of these tools available at no cost for the communities Illini serves,’’ Tauke said.
For information Call (309) 281-4740 to learn more about Genesis Concussion Management.
