National Athletic Trainers' Association Releases New Guidelines for Exertional Heat Illnesses: What School Nurses Need to Know

NASN Sch Nurse. 2016 May;31(3):158-62. doi: 10.1177/1942602X15625646. Epub 2016 Mar 3.

Abstract

Exertional heat illnesses (EHI) occur in various populations and settings. Within a school setting, there are student athletes who take part in physical activity where the risk of EHI is increased. The National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) released an updated position statement on EHI in September of 2015. This article is a summary of the position statement. The sports medicine team, including school nurses and athletic trainers, provides quality health care to these physically active individuals. Thus, it is important for school nurses to understand the prevention, recognition, and treatment of EHI.

Keywords: cold water immersion; exertional heat stroke; heat cramps; heat exhaustion; heat syncope.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Heat Stress Disorders / nursing
  • Heat Stress Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • School Health Services
  • School Nursing
  • Sports*