“Sudden Cardiac ArrestPrevention Act”
P.L. 574 No. 59 Cl. 24
Supporting Student-Athletes
Diana L. Malone, Ph.D.Training & Consultation CoordinatorAllegheny Intermediate Unit
David G. McBain, CAA, ATC, LATDirector of AthleticsWest Allegheny School District
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” P.L. 574 No. 59 Cl. 24
Signed into law on May 30, 2012
Effective on July 30, 2012
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” P.L. 574 No. 59 Cl. 24
Purpose of the legislation is to ensure the safety of student athletes.
1) Includes certain requirements for: Pennsylvania schools Personnel who supervise schools’ student
athletes Medical personnel who support them
2) Establishes standards for preventing sudden cardiac arrest and death in student athletes.
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” P.L. 574 No. 59 Cl. 24
Nothing about scholastic sports is life and death — at least it
shouldn’t be.Yet every year, for about 100
teenage athletes, it is.
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act”
P.L. 574 No. 59 Cl. 24
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” P.L. 574 No. 59 Cl. 24
FACTS: Sudden Cardiac Arrest Fact Sheet
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is NOT a Heart Attack. A heart attack may cause SCA, but they are not the same. A heart attack,
also called myocardial infarction (MI), is caused by a blockage that stops the flow of blood to the heart and causes damage to heart muscle. SCA is a malfunction in the heart’s electrical system, causing the heart to suddenly stop beating. 1 American Heart Association
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is when the heart abruptly and unexpectedly stops beating, resulting in no blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. 2 National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that every year approximately 300,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States. 3 Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
About 2,000 patients under 25 years of age die of SCA. 4 American Academy of Pediatrics
In 1999 in Pennsylvania, 154 individuals under the age of 25 died due to SCA. 5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act”
P.L. 574 No. 59 Cl. 24
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” P.L. 574 No. 59 Cl. 24
Warning Signs and Symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Although SCA happens unexpectedly, some people
have symptoms, such as dizziness or lightheadedness, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, racing or fluttering heartbeat (palpitations), fainting (syncope), fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting or chest pains.1 American Heart Association, ,4 American Academy of Pediatrics ,6 Mayo Clinic
Risks of continuing to play or practice after experiencing one or more symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Arrest. When the heart stops, oxygenated blood stops flowing
to the brain and other vital organs. Death or permanent brain damage can occur in only a few minutes.6 Mayo Clinic
Most people who have SCA die from it.1 American Heart Association
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” P.L. 574 No. 59 Cl. 24
Requirements of the Law
PA Governor Tom Corbett
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Section 1. Name “Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act P.L. 574, No. 59, Cl24.”
Section 2. Definitions
Section 3. Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Section 4. Effective Date July 30, 2012
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Section 2. Definitions“Athletic Activities”
What activities are covered?(1) Interscholastic athletics(2) Contest or competition sponsored by or associated with a “school entity” includes cheerleading, club sports or activities sponsored by school affiliated
organizations(3) Noncompetitive cheerleading(4) Practices and scrimmages
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Section 2. Definitions“Interscholastic athletics”All athletic contests or competitions conducted between or among school entities situated in counties of the second class, second class A, third class, fourth class, fifth class, sixth class, seventh class and eighth class.DOH Section 1602-A of the Act of March 10, 1949 (P.L. 30, No. 14) Public School Code of 1949
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act”
Elements of PA Legislation
Section 2. Definitions“Department”Department of Health of the Commonwealth (DOH)
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Section 2. Definitions“School Entity”A public school, school district, nonpublic school or private school in this Commonwealth other than a private or nonpublic school which elects not to become a member of the association.DOH Section 1602-A of the Act of March 10, 1949 (P.L. 30, No. 14) Public School Code of 1949
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act”
Elements of PA Legislation
Section 3 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention
a) Educational Materialsb) Informational Meetingc) Removal From Playd) Training Coursee) Penaltiesf) Other Youth Activitiesg) Construction
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Section 3 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention (a)(1) Educational MaterialsDepartment of Health, PA Department of Education websites offer guidelines & other relevant educational materials for students, parents, and coaches about the nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest. PA Department of Heath www.health.state.pa.us PA Department of Educationwww.education.state.pa.us
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Section 3 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention (a)(1) Educational Materials continued
Students, parents, and coaches must be educated about the nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest including the risks associated with continuing to play or practice after experiencing one or more symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, including:
Fainting Difficulty breathing Chest pains Dizziness Abnormal racing heart rate.
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act”
Elements of PA Legislation
Section 3 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention (a)(2) Educational Materials
The Department of Education may utilize existing materials developed by other organizations (i.e., Parent Heart Watch and Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes)
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Section 3 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention (a)(3) Educational Materials Parents and student athletes must sign and return acknowledgement of receipt and review of Sudden Cardiac Arrest symptoms and warning signs Information Sheet each year prior to participation by the student in an athletic activity.
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
The Pennsylvania Department of Health Athlete/Parent/Guardian Sudden Cardiac Arrest Symptoms and Warning Signs Information Sheet and Acknowledgement of Receipt and Review Form which has been reviewed and adopted by the PIAA – CIPPE Form.
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Section 3 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention (b) Informational Meeting School entity may hold Informational
Meetings prior to the start of each athletic season for all ages of competitors regarding:• Symptoms and warning signs of sudden cardiac
arrest, • In addition to students, parents, coaches and
other school officials, Informational Meetings may include physicians, pediatric cardiologists, and athletic trainers.
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Section 3 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention (c) Removal from Play
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Section 3 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention (c)(1) Removal from Play Student athlete exhibits signs or symptoms of sudden cardiac arrestshall be removed by the Coach from participatingin an athletic activity.Subject to paragraph (c) (3).
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Section 3 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention (c)(1) Removal from Play Determination may be made by game
official,coach, certified athletic trainer, physician, physical therapist, or other designated by school entity.Subject to paragraph (c) (3).
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act”
Elements of PA Legislation
Section 3 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention (c)(2) Removal from Play If student is known to have exhibited
signs or symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest at any time prior to or following an athletic activity, the student shall be prevented from participating in an athletic activity.
Subject to paragraph (c) (3).
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act”
Elements of PA Legislation
Section 3 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention (c)(3) Removal from Play A student removed or prevented from participating in an athletic activity under paragraph (c)(1) or(2) shall not return to participation until the student is evaluated and cleared for return to participation in writing by a licensed physician, certified registered nurse practitioner, or cardiologist.
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Section 3 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention(c)(4) Removal from Play To help determine whether a student is ready to return to play, the licensed physician or certified registered nurse practitioner may consult any other licensed or certified medical professionals.
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Medical Clearance Form PIAA – CIPPE Form.[Section 8: Re-Certification By Licensed Physician of Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine]
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Section 3 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention (d) Training Course (d)(1) All Coaches must complete sudden
cardiac arrest training course offered by approved provider.
(Beginning July 30, 2012 for 2012-2013 school year)
(d)(2) A coach shall not coach any athletic activity until completing the required training course.
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Certification Training for Coaches and Medical Professionals Provider(s) approved by PA Department of Health 1. PA Department of Health -
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Education and Information Sheet must be reviewed and signed. (hyperlink is the abbreviated training)
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Section 3 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention(e) Penalties for Coaches (Required July 30, 2014)
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Section 3 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention(e) Penalties for Coaches(1) 1st violation – Suspension from coaching for remainder of season(2) 2nd violation – Suspension from coaching for remainder of current season and for the next season(3) 3rd violation – Permanent suspension from coaching any athletic activity
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Section 3 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention(f) Other Youth Activities
The sponsors of youth athletic activities not Associated with a schoolentity are encouraged to follow these guidelines.
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Section 3 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention(g) ConstructionNothing in this act shall be construed to: (1) abridge or limit any rights provided under a collective bargaining agreement or Public Employee Relations Act.(2) create, establish, expand, reduce, contract or eliminate any civil liability on the part of any school entity or school employee.
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Section 4 Effective Date
The “Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” shall take effect on:
July 30, 2012.
Pennsylvania School Boards Association - POLICY
PSBA No. 123_2 Sudden Cardiac Arrest
PSBA No. 123-AR-3-PIAA Forms SCA
PSBA No. 123 Interscholastic Athletics
PSBA No. 122 Extra Curricular Activities
PSBA No. 123-AR-6 Athletic Safety
Action Paper - Implementation of Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention
ACTION PAPER Implementation of Sudden Cardiac A
rrest Prevention
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act” Elements of PA Legislation
Resources
Additional Resources
AIU Mediasite www.tinyurl.com/ACT59SCAOn Demand viewing of PPT and all
attachments, forms, and links PA Department of Heath
www.health.state.pa.us PA Department of Ed
www.education.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic
Association (PIAA) www.piaa.org PA School Boards Association (PSBA)
www.psba.org
Diana L. Malone, Ph.D.Training and Consultation Coordinator/Interagency
CoordinatorAllegheny Intermediate Unit
[email protected]: 412-394-4932
Fax: 412-394-1340
David G. McBain, CAA, ATC, LAT
Director of AthleticsWest Allegheny School
DistrictChair, WPIAL Sports Medicine
Advisory CommitteeMember, PIAA Sports Medicine
Advisory [email protected]: 724-695-5246
Thank You