Thread by @mnhopper1s

Last month for #vNATA21 @SScarneoMiller & @RLopez1010 held a discussion on Barriers to #CoolFirstTransportSecond. One barrier that is often discussed is rectal thermometry in a high school athlete… but let us ask the question… who is really the one “shutting this down?” 1/

I’ve often heard ATs at the secondary school level say “I’ll never do it” or “my admin says no way!” We can argue for a long time why a lay person would be making this type of medical decision to begin with, but let’s instead focus on how to reach the point of providing best 2/

Practice by utilizing rectal thermometry as a diagnostic tool in identifying and treating exertional heat stroke. My friend @Badfish54 just went through this process at his school. He’s spent some time collecting the research, using position statements and getting expert 3/

Opinions on what is considered best practices. Then he began to approach his administration. As you can imagine, admin was not exactly ready for this but they agreed to discuss. Will laid out the research and provided significant information that the liability didn’t exist 4/

In performing a rectal temp reading, but instead it actually exists in NOT doing so! He garnered support from the initial admin and up the chain to the head of school. Then it went to the school lawyer & to insurance, who both agreed it was best practice AND they have been on 5/

Board and involved in creating policy and procedure and educational information to help inform others that this is BEST PRACTICE! @Badfish54 did say he expected a fight each step of the way, but by providing research and evidence he found less resistance than he expected. 6/

So that brings us back to the original question.. is rectal thermometry being denied by admin or is it actually being denied by the AT? If you don’t have rectal thermometry in your plan, take the time to sit down with admin and educate them. You may be surprised. 7/

You may find that it isn’t the evil thing people think and you may find that those you think are going to not support it, actually do. And if it’s you the AT who isn’t on board, it’s time to get on board. And don’t blame others for you choosing to not use best practices. 8/

Remember as we are in the month of July and the whole country is HOT, that #EHS is 100% preventable and survivable with appropriate care. Also remember most #EHS deaths will occur in July or August. So.. are you prepared? #AT4ALL #NoMore #PediatricSportsMedicine 9/9 #endrant