UH Introduces First Response for Sports Trauma, a First of its Kind Course That Prepares First Responders to Act When an Athlete’s Life is in Danger
June 27, 2019
CLEVELAND – The First Response for Sports Trauma (FRSTTM) course, conceived and developed by Robert Flannery, MD, of the University Hospitals Sports Medicine Institute, is designed to provide EMS professionals the skills required to cover sporting events and treat athletes in the events of sudden cardiac arrest, heat illness, sickle cell trait, and concussion. The course also includes hands-on practice for removing protective equipment (i.e. football helmets and pads) in the event of trauma to the neck or spine.
This highly active, dynamic course is the first of its kind in Northeast Ohio, and aims to give communities the tools they need to prepare and act when an athlete's life is in danger. This free course is CEU-accredited through University Hospitals EMS Training & Disaster Preparedness Institute.
When: July 18, 2019 Where: FirstEnergy Stadium
Available for interview: Robert Flannery, MD, (UH SMI), Dan Ellenberger (UH EMS), Eric Beck (UH Ventures)
Who will attend: EMS professionals (EMRs, EMTs and Paramedics)
Vision: To establish and build a course that can be replicated and scaled across the nation to prepare communities, schools, and sports teams to consistently and expertly respond to trauma on the field of play. In order for the course to be the gold standard for education and hands-on training for covering athletic events, FRSTTM has created an advisory council made up of preeminent experts from the hospital, the firehouses, ambulance services and the sidelines. By building this team, this content, and brand, we believe that FRSTTM can be the first course of its kind to influence protocols at a local, state, and national level to ensure that our collective knowledge, preparation, and practices for responding to sports trauma are always on the leading edge.
Course Description: This is a 2-part course, with the first part being didactics on sudden cardiac death, heat illness, sickle cell trait, and concussion. The second part of the course focuses on the emergency action plan, proper protective equipment removal, and a hands-on equipment removal portion. There is a pre-course survey to gather data experience, training, and need for a course like this. There is a post course practical assessment and written test to demonstrate competency with the principles learned during the course. The course has been designed in the model of the American Heart Association’s Basic Life Support course with certification lasting two years. The certification can be renewed by demonstration of reviewing the slide deck and practicing the skills in the community. The course is designed to be updated at least every 2 years with the newest guidelines by the principal stakeholders, which include representatives from sports medicine, athletic trainers, and first responders.