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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF
THE UNIVERSITY INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE

Ad Hoc Committee to Study Cardiac Screening for UIL Participants

By Jeanne Acton, Journalism Director | Tuesday, November 20, 2012 10:34 AM

UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt wants parents, students, coaches and teachers to know that “the safety of our students is a primary concern” of the UIL and has been for a long time.

In 2001, UIL created the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) —comprised of distinguished physicians, an athletic trainer and two executive directors of statewide coaches associations— to make recommendations to the League on what Breithaupt calls the 4 Hs – Head, Heart, Heat and Medical History.

And the committee has done just that.

“We have leaned heavily on the Medical Advisory Committee over the past 10 years,” Breithaupt said.

The committee has made recommendations on Automated External Defibrillators, physical forms, practice limitations, concussions and other medical issues . In fact, every recommendation the MAC has made to the Legislative Council has been unanimously adopted.

And now, select members from that committee will join members from the Legislative Council and the State Executive Committee to form an Ad Hoc Committee to study the issue of cardiac screening for UIL participants.

“This is an issue the Medical Advisory Committee has been following closely for a number of years,” said Athletic Director Dr. Mark Cousins. “This Ad Hoc Committee is an opportunity for the Medical Advisory Committee to inform Legislative Council members on this issue, provide the latest scientific information from the American Heart Association and discuss the current stance of the MAC on this important issue.”

The Ad Hoc Committee was formed at the October Legislative Council meeting after a parent, Scott Stevens from Crosby, spoke during the public forum about losing his son to cardiac death  in May 2012. His son died in his sleep at home. Stevens told the Council that if his son would have had a cardiac screening during his athletic physical (necessary to participate in UIL athletics), doctors could have identified the heart problem.

During the Council meeting, the athletic committee discussed the parent’s request and recommended the formation of the Ad Hoc Committee. The Council unanimously approved the committee.

Deputy Director Dr. Jamey Harrison said one of the questions the Ad Hoc Committee will need to look at is whether cardiac screening is appropriate for all students.

“Many  of the cases where school-aged children suffer from some sort of cardiac death do not happen during athletic participation,” Harrison said. “This is a public health issue. This issue is much broader than just kids who participate in athletics.”

The Ad Hoc Committee will meet before the end of the calendar year, Harrison said.

Breithaupt expects a report  from the committee to go before the full Legislative Council in June or possibly earlier.

“Our Council will look to the best ideas to benefit our kids,” he said.