Standards › Standard 20 › Policies
Policy · SPM-POL-002 · Version 1.0 · Approved by the ASF Expert Committee
Supports: 20.2
At a glance
- Return to sport follows a staged plan, with defined criteria met at each stage.
- Each stage is recorded on SPM-FRM-002, with the criteria met.
- A decision to return to full competition is made by a clinician, on the record.
- No athlete returns to full competition after a single test.
- Stop and get help straight away if: an athlete is back in full competition after a single test.
1. Purpose
To make sure return to sport is staged, and each decision is recorded with its basis (20.2).
2. Scope
| Applies to | Clinical and support staff in the hospital |
| Locations | All wards, clinics and departments of the facility |
| When | Whenever the activity described is carried out |
| Does not apply to | Activities covered by another document listed in section 15 |
3. Definitions
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Clinical lead | The doctor or nurse in charge of the area at the time |
4. Background
Returning to sport too early is a common cause of re-injury. A staged plan with clear criteria at each stage, and a record of the decision, protects the athlete and the clinician who signs it off.
5. Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility | Competence |
|---|---|---|
| Lead sports physician | Owns the staged plan and the decision rule | Clinician |
| Treating clinician | Applies the plan and records each stage | Clinician |
6. Materials and equipment
| Item | Requirement | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Records and forms named in this document | Current version | Checked before use |
7. Safety
- Stop and call for help if a patient is at immediate risk. Do not delay urgent care to complete paperwork.
8. Before you start
- Confirm the forms and equipment named in this document are available and current.
9. Procedure
Step 1. Set the stages.
- Set the stages and the criteria for each, on SPM-FRM-002.
Key point: Stages set.
Step 2. Check each stage.
- Confirm the criteria at each stage before the next.
Key point: Criteria met.
Step 3. Record the decision.
- Record the decision to return and its basis.
Key point: Decision recorded.
10. Decision points
- No decision points in this procedure.
11. Special situations
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Out of hours | Follow the same steps. Use the on-call contact on the wall of the area. |
12. Escalation
- Any serious problem goes to the duty clinical lead at once and to the clinical director the same day.
13. Monitoring
| Measure | Target | Frequency | Owner | If not met |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Return-to-sport decisions on a staged plan with the basis recorded | 100% | Monthly | Lead sports physician | Escalate to medical director |
14. Records
| Record | Kept in | Retention |
|---|---|---|
| Record named in this document | Patient record or the area file | the period set by the facility’s records policy years |
15. Training
- Staff are trained in this document at induction and refreshed each year, with a recorded competency check.
16. Related documents
| ID | Title | Use |
|---|---|---|
| SPM-FRM-002 | Return-to-sport decision record | Record |
17. Evidence
| Reference | Note |
|---|---|
| E-009 | Based on the BJSM consensus on return to sport (2016) and the McCrory consensus statement on concussion in sport (2023). |
| E-006 | ASF Policy Framework v1.2. Adapted. |
| E-009 | ASF Expert Committee consensus. |
18. Change history
| Version | Date | What changed | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | the date of approval | First version | set Expert Committee approval |
E-learning for this document
No e-learning course is linked to this document yet.
Planned course: Return to sport: staged decisions. New course planned.
References
- Accréditation Sans Frontières (2026). ASF Policy Framework v1.2. (E-006)
- Accréditation Sans Frontières (2026). ASF Expert Committee consensus on Standard 1. (E-009)