Hall Ambulance Seminar Addresses Sports Injuries

"High school sports programs are a great way for teens to stay healthy and introduce them to important team building skills. But there are definite risks to pushing the limits of endurance, strength, and speed," says Hall Ambulance Service Medical Director, Dr. Ron Ostrom.

Ostrom's comments were made on August 30 at the 5th annual sports medicine seminar sponsored by Hall Ambulance Service.

Head injuries, heat-related emergencies and MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) were the items covered by Ostrom, due to their potential catastrophic results. He said that "In Kern County last year, that there were no players treated for 'Second Impact Syndrome,' which occurs when a player who has received a concussion is re-injured prior to properly healing." He attributes this to prompt and appropriate recognition by coaching staff of a potential head injury.

Dr. Ostrom pointed out that 20% of the 1.5 million high school and college football players in America suffer some sort of head injury every year. Part of the training offered to the coaches by Hall Ambulance included recognition of a head injury, first-aid, and follow up care. Ostrom said that it is critical for a head injured athlete to have a period of 'cognitive rest' as part of their treatment. This means abstaining from sports, training, class, video games, etc.

Hall Ambulance Service directs coaching staff to an established five-step approach developed by the National Federation of State High School Associations to clearing student athletes following a concussive injury. Dr. Ostrom advocates a 24-hour period of rest between each step, during which the student must be symptom free to progress.

MRSA, which Dr. Ostrom described as 'The Killer Bacteria,' is passed between athletes in a number of ways. Hall?s Medical Director gave those in attendance valuable information on how to recognize potential MRSA and how to protect its spread. He said that on any given day in his emergency room that it is common for him to deal with three or more cases of the potentially deadly bacteria.

The event was attended by some 85 coaches from schools in Bakersfield, and as far away as Frazier Park, Lake Isabella and Tehachapi.

For more information, contact PIO Scott Allen at 661/322-8741 or allens@hallamb.com. Hall Ambulance Service has been proudly serving the residents of Kern County since 1971.