Andrews Institute Concussion Baseline Testing Program Aims to Keep Student-Athletes Safe
GULF BREEZE, Fla. (July 19, 2022) – To enhance concussion care for student-athletes, Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine has performed concussion baseline testing across Northwest Florida this summer.
The concussion baseline testing program takes students through a series of assessments of vision, balance and cognitive thinking, collecting baseline information for every student-athlete that participates. With that knowledge, if the student-athlete sustains a concussion at a later time, the data can be used by clinical staff to help determine when that participant can safely return to their sport. The baseline testing is administered by Andrews Institute athletic trainers.
“By establishing a baseline, our physicians and athletic trainers are able to retest a student-athlete after injury and compare results to the student-athlete’s baseline score,” said Jessica Langston, athletic training supervisor at Andrews Institute. “Healing time for concussions varies, so having this data to provide additional insight is very helpful in safely returning an athlete to their sport.”
Andrews Institute provides ATs and team physicians to all public high schools in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties in Northwest Florida at no charge. Their presence at practices and games ensures immediate concussion assessment, which offers the student-athlete the best possible chance for timely, appropriate concussion care.
The concussion baseline testing program has existed for seven years, with around 2,000 student-athletes participating each summer. Andrews Institute remains dedicated to helping student-athletes stay safe and return to sport as quickly and safely as possible after any health concern.
For more information on this program or any of the services of the Sports Medicine Outreach Department at Andrews Institute, contact sports medicine manager Kathleen McGraw at Kathleen.McGraw@theandrewsinstitute.com or visit AndrewsInstitute.com.
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For more information about this press release or to schedule an interview, please contact Christian Garman at 850.291.9888 or Christian.Garman@TheAndrewsInstitute.com.
About the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
Located minutes from Pensacola, Florida, in Gulf Breeze, Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine provides world-class care and service for the athlete in everyone. The institute features more than 30 physicians and medical experts providing best-in-class service in specialties ranging from orthopedics and sports medicine to joint care and neurosurgery and is accessible to everyone. It is the world’s only facility offering surgery, diagnostic imaging, rehabilitation and athletic performance training all on one campus. The one-of-a-kind center focuses on the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries while using the expertise of nationally and internationally renowned orthopedic surgeon James Andrews, M.D. Dr. Andrews is best known as physician to some of sport’s greatest professional athletes. For more information, visit www.AndrewsInstitute.com.
About Baptist Health Care
Baptist Health Care is a not-for-profit health care organization based in northwest Florida that is committed to helping people throughout life's journey. The organization is a proud member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. Baptist continuously strives to be a national leader in quality and service. Baptist Health Care includes three hospitals, four medical parks, Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and a large network of primary care and specialty physicians. Baptist Health Care is one of the largest non-governmental employers in northwest Florida.
Baptist Health Care ● Baptist Hospital ● Gulf Breeze Hospital ● Jay Hospital ● Baptist Medical Parks Airport, Nine Mile, Navarre and Pace ● Andrews Institute ● Baptist Medical Group ● Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute
● Baptist Health Care Foundation ● Mayo Clinic Care Network
CONTACT BELOW IS FOR MEDIA USE ONLY
For more information about this press release or to schedule an interview, please contact Rachel Kaiser at 850.791.5254 or Rachel.Kaiser@bhcpns.org