Standards › ASF Health Standards v10 › Standard 20
Standard 20
Sports Medicine
Sports medicine: assessment before clearance, staged return to sport, pre-participation checks, qualified clinicians, event emergency plans, banned substances, training load and head injury.
Each athlete is assessed before treatment or clearance. The assessment records the injury or condition, the sport and training load, and any red flags needing urgent medical review. Red flags are referred for urgent review.
Why it matters. An athlete treated without a proper assessment may be hurt further, or cleared to play while still injured. The assessment is the basis for every later decision on treatment and return to sport.
How the surveyor verifies this criterion
Sample. Review 5 completed athlete assessments in the last 6 months, and the assessment template in use.
1. Each athlete is assessed before treatment or clearance.
Method. Check each sampled athlete for an assessment dated before clearance.
Evidence to show. Athlete assessment record (SPM-FRM-001).
Pass when. Every sampled athlete has an assessment before clearance.
2. Each assessment records the injury or condition, the sport and the training load.
Method. Check each assessment for the three items.
Evidence to show. Athlete assessment record (SPM-FRM-001).
Pass when. Every assessment has all three items recorded.
3. Each red flag is referred for urgent review.
Method. Check each red flag for the referral and its date.
Evidence to show. Athlete assessment record (SPM-FRM-001).
Pass when. Every red flag has an urgent referral recorded.
Immediate fail (any one means the criterion is not met)
- An athlete is cleared to train with no assessment on file.
Documents
No documents yet.
E-learning
References
- Ardern CL, et al. 2016 Consensus statement on return to sport from the First World Congress in Sports Physical Therapy, Bern. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50(14):853-864.
Return to sport follows a staged plan, with defined criteria met at each stage. The decision and its basis are recorded.
Why it matters. 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.
How the surveyor verifies this criterion
Sample. Review 3 completed return-to-sport plans with the decision records.
1. Return to sport follows a staged plan.
Method. Check each plan for the stages set.
Evidence to show. Return-to-sport decision record (SPM-FRM-002).
Pass when. Every plan has defined stages.
2. Criteria are met at each stage before the next.
Method. Check each stage for the criteria met and the date.
Evidence to show. Return-to-sport decision record (SPM-FRM-002).
Pass when. Every stage has its criteria met before advancing.
3. The decision and its basis are recorded.
Method. Check each decision for the recorded basis.
Evidence to show. Return-to-sport decision record (SPM-FRM-002).
Pass when. Every decision has its basis recorded.
Immediate fail (any one means the criterion is not met)
- An athlete is back in full competition after a single test.
Documents
No documents yet.
E-learning
No course linked yet.
Planned course: Return to sport: staged decisions. New course planned.
References
- Ardern CL, et al. 2016 Consensus statement on return to sport from the First World Congress in Sports Physical Therapy, Bern. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50(14):853-864.
Where the sport or the athlete’s age requires it, a pre-participation check is carried out, including cardiac screening where indicated, and the result is recorded. Abnormal findings are referred for specialist review.
Why it matters. Some athletes have heart or other conditions that a sport can make dangerous. Where the sport or the athlete’s age requires it, a check before participation finds those risks before they cause harm.
How the surveyor verifies this criterion
Sample. Review the pre-participation check requirements and the check records for 5 athletes.
1. The required check is carried out for each sport and age that requires it.
Method. Check each athlete against the requirement for their sport and age.
Evidence to show. Pre-participation check requirements and register (SPM-REG-001).
Pass when. Every athlete who requires a check has one recorded.
2. Cardiac screening is carried out where indicated.
Method. Check each athlete where indicated for the screening record.
Evidence to show. Pre-participation check record (SPM-FRM-003).
Pass when. Every indicated athlete has cardiac screening recorded.
3. Abnormal findings are referred for specialist review.
Method. Check each abnormal finding for the referral.
Evidence to show. Pre-participation check record (SPM-FRM-003).
Pass when. Every abnormal finding has a specialist referral.
Immediate fail (any one means the criterion is not met)
- A young athlete is in competition with no check on file.
Documents
No documents yet.
E-learning
References
- Maron BJ, et al. Eligibility and disqualification recommendations for competitive athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities. Circulation. 2015;132(22):e273-e280.
Each clinician’s qualification is verified and current, and is checked against the scope of practice the role requires.
Why it matters. Sports clinicians work with athletes at high demand, and a clinician working outside their qualification or scope can cause serious harm. Checking qualifications against the role keeps the care within what the clinician is competent to give.
How the surveyor verifies this criterion
Sample. Review the clinician qualification register and the verification records for 5 clinicians.
1. Each clinician’s qualification is verified and current.
Method. Check each entry for the verification date and expiry.
Evidence to show. Clinician qualification and scope register (SPM-REG-002).
Pass when. Every clinician has a verified, current qualification.
2. Each clinician’s qualification is matched to the scope of the role.
Method. Check each clinician against the scope required.
Evidence to show. Clinician qualification and scope register (SPM-REG-002).
Pass when. Every clinician’s scope matches the role.
3. Expired or unchecked qualifications are not used.
Method. Check the rota against the register for any expired entry.
Evidence to show. Clinician qualification and scope register (SPM-REG-002).
Pass when. No clinician treats athletes with an expired or unchecked qualification.
Immediate fail (any one means the criterion is not met)
- A clinician treats athletes with an expired licence.
Documents
No documents yet.
E-learning
References
- World Health Organization (2011). Patient Safety Curriculum Guide: Multi-professional Edition. Geneva: WHO.
Where the provider covers sports events, an emergency plan is in place for each event, covering cardiac arrest, heat illness and head injury, with equipment and trained staff present.
Why it matters. Sports events are where cardiac arrests and serious injuries happen, often far from a hospital. A plan made before the event, with equipment and people ready, is what saves the athlete in the first minutes.
How the surveyor verifies this criterion
Sample. Review the emergency plan and the equipment and staff check for a sample event, and the training record.
1. An emergency plan is in place for each sports event.
Method. Check each sampled event for a plan written for that event.
Evidence to show. Emergency plan for each sports event (SPM-PLN-001).
Pass when. Every sampled event has a plan for its venue.
2. The plan covers cardiac arrest, heat illness and head injury.
Method. Check each plan for the three topics.
Evidence to show. Emergency plan for each sports event (SPM-PLN-001).
Pass when. Every plan covers the three topics.
3. Equipment and trained staff are present at each event.
Method. Check the event equipment and staff check record.
Evidence to show. Event equipment and staff check record (SPM-FRM-004).
Pass when. Every event has the AED, equipment and trained staff recorded on site.
Immediate fail (any one means the criterion is not met)
- An event goes ahead with no emergency plan and no trained person present.
Documents
No documents yet.
E-learning
References
- Racinais S, et al. Consensus recommendations on training and competing in the heat. Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(18):1164-1173.
Where relevant, the provider advises athletes on banned substances, and records prescribing that may affect an athlete’s eligibility.
Why it matters. Some medicines, and some supplements, contain substances banned in sport. An athlete who takes them unknowingly can lose a title or be banned. The clinician’s role is to advise and to record what is prescribed.
How the surveyor verifies this criterion
Sample. Review the banned-substance advice sheet and the advice and prescribing record for 5 athletes.
1. Athletes are advised on banned substances, with the list date recorded.
Method. Check each sampled athlete for the advice and the list date.
Evidence to show. Banned-substance advice and prescribing record (SPM-FRM-005).
Pass when. Every sampled athlete has the advice recorded with its list date.
2. Prescribing that may affect eligibility is checked.
Method. Check each prescription for the eligibility check.
Evidence to show. Banned-substance advice and prescribing record (SPM-FRM-005).
Pass when. Every eligibility-relevant prescription is checked and recorded.
3. The medicines rule applies to each prescription.
Method. Check the medicines management policy against the prescriptions.
Evidence to show. Medicines management policy (HOS-POL-001).
Pass when. Every prescription follows the policy.
Immediate fail (any one means the criterion is not met)
- A banned substance is prescribed with no check.
Documents
No documents yet.
E-learning
References
- World Anti-Doping Agency. World Anti-Doping Code and International Standard for Prohibited List. Montreal: WADA; updated annually.
Injury patterns and training load are reviewed, and action is taken to prevent further injury.
Why it matters. Injuries in sport often come in patterns: the same athlete, the same training block, the same type of load. Reviewing those patterns and changing the training is how the next injury is prevented.
How the surveyor verifies this criterion
Sample. Review the injury and training load review for the last season, and the changes recorded.
1. Injury patterns are reviewed each season.
Method. Check the review record for the season.
Evidence to show. Injury and training load review register (SPM-REG-003).
Pass when. The season has a review recorded.
2. Training load is linked to injury in the review.
Method. Check each review for the link made.
Evidence to show. Injury and training load review register (SPM-REG-003).
Pass when. Every review links training load to injury.
3. Action is taken to prevent further injury, and its effect checked.
Method. Check each change for the effect recorded.
Evidence to show. Injury and training load review register (SPM-REG-003).
Pass when. Every change has its effect checked.
Immediate fail (any one means the criterion is not met)
- The same injury recurs in the same squad with no review.
Documents
No documents yet.
E-learning
References
- Gabbett TJ. The training-injury prevention paradox: should athletes be training smarter and harder? Br J Sports Med. 2016;50(5):273-280.
An athlete with a suspected concussion or other head injury is removed from play at once. Return to play is not given on the day of injury. Return follows the staged plan in 20.2 and a documented clinical decision.
Why it matters. A blow to the head can cause a concussion that looks mild but gets worse if the athlete keeps playing. Removing the athlete at once, and not returning them the same day, prevents second-impact injuries that can be fatal.
How the surveyor verifies this criterion
Sample. Review the head injury removal and assessment records for the last 12 months, and the head injury protocol.
1. An athlete with a suspected head injury is removed from play at once.
Method. Check each record for the time of removal against the time of injury.
Evidence to show. Head injury removal and assessment record (SPM-FRM-006).
Pass when. Every suspected head injury is removed from play at once.
2. The athlete is assessed by a clinician.
Method. Check each record for the clinical assessment.
Evidence to show. Head injury removal and assessment record (SPM-FRM-006).
Pass when. Every removed athlete has a clinical assessment recorded.
3. No return is given on the day of injury, and return follows the staged plan.
Method. Check each return decision for the date and the plan followed.
Evidence to show. Head injury removal and assessment record (SPM-FRM-006).
Pass when. No return is given on the day of injury, and every return follows the staged plan.
Immediate fail (any one means the criterion is not met)
- An athlete with a suspected concussion is kept on the field.
Documents
No documents yet.
E-learning
References
- McCrory P, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th international conference on concussion in sport, Amsterdam 2022. Br J Sports Med. 2023;57(11):695-711.
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