- Joined
- Aug 13, 2005
- Messages
- 19,321
- Reaction score
- 12,944
Pats to take part in medical records program - New England Patriots Blog - espnBoston
New England Patriots taking part in pilot program that could put medical records online | masslive.com
NFL players' medical records about to go online | USA Today
The Patriots will be one of eight NFL teams to take part in a pilot program during the 2013 season in which a player's entire medical record will be available for team doctors to examine on the sideline of a game via the use of an iPad, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports.
The new technology is part of a push to improve concussion testing and safety for NFL players, an issue the NFL has treated very seriously.
James Bradley, the chairman of the league's medical research committee and Steelers orthopedic surgeon, spoke to Pelissero on the value of the program.
"If we can just sit him down and say, 'Look, here's your balance test and your cognitive skills, your memory, your reaction time.' Now they've got a visual of that, which is a very positive step forward with the players accepting that they have an issue and wanting to get it resolved," he said.
Another benefit of the program, as told to Pelissero by Matthew Matava, the president of the NFL physicians society and head team physician for the Rams, is that a player's medical record will be easily transferred from one team to another, something that could happen as soon as the beginning of next year.
"Let's say he starts out with the Rams, and then he's either cut or traded or leaves as a free agent, goes to the Denver Broncos, then the information will be portable," said Matava. "The Denver doctors will then have any information that was accrued while he was in St. Louis.
The new technology is part of a push to improve concussion testing and safety for NFL players, an issue the NFL has treated very seriously.
James Bradley, the chairman of the league's medical research committee and Steelers orthopedic surgeon, spoke to Pelissero on the value of the program.
"If we can just sit him down and say, 'Look, here's your balance test and your cognitive skills, your memory, your reaction time.' Now they've got a visual of that, which is a very positive step forward with the players accepting that they have an issue and wanting to get it resolved," he said.
Another benefit of the program, as told to Pelissero by Matthew Matava, the president of the NFL physicians society and head team physician for the Rams, is that a player's medical record will be easily transferred from one team to another, something that could happen as soon as the beginning of next year.
"Let's say he starts out with the Rams, and then he's either cut or traded or leaves as a free agent, goes to the Denver Broncos, then the information will be portable," said Matava. "The Denver doctors will then have any information that was accrued while he was in St. Louis.
New England Patriots taking part in pilot program that could put medical records online | masslive.com
The collective bargaining agreement dictated that such a system had to be developed within 24 months, but some players, agents and the NFL Players Association harbor concerns about how the records will be handled and if disclosures could work against a player in free agency or grievance hearings.
QB Alex Smith said:
NFL players' medical records about to go online | USA Today
To NFL doctors, the use of iPads and the electronic medical records program are, in Bradley's words, "a very positive step in the treatment of concussions in the NFL. Very positive. The league was very proactive with this."
There are more eyes than ever on players, including an observer in the press box, the game officials and an independent neurology specialist on each sideline. Each team's head physician and athletic trainer no longer are restricted in where they can move along the sideline. If there's any question about how a player was injured, they can view a replay on a dedicated TV monitor.
More technology for studying brain injuries could be in common use soon, such as the infrascanner — a portable screening device that uses near-infrared technology to screen patients for intracranial bleeds that could help players avoid unnecessary CT scans — and high-definition fiber tractography to trace nerve fibers.
The NFL continues to implement rules changes as well, citing the drop in concussions on kickoffs since they were moved up to the 35-yard line in 2011. It all comes against the backdrop of ongoing concussion litigation, with a federal judge this week ordering the league and about 4,200 former players to negotiate how their case will be resolved.
"I think the NFL has led the way of all four pro sports as far as doing research and trying to make the game safer," Matava said. "Obviously, it's a collision sport. There are going to be injuries. I think everyone accepts that and understands that. We're just trying to make the injuries less serious and then try to make them less frequent."
There are more eyes than ever on players, including an observer in the press box, the game officials and an independent neurology specialist on each sideline. Each team's head physician and athletic trainer no longer are restricted in where they can move along the sideline. If there's any question about how a player was injured, they can view a replay on a dedicated TV monitor.
More technology for studying brain injuries could be in common use soon, such as the infrascanner — a portable screening device that uses near-infrared technology to screen patients for intracranial bleeds that could help players avoid unnecessary CT scans — and high-definition fiber tractography to trace nerve fibers.
The NFL continues to implement rules changes as well, citing the drop in concussions on kickoffs since they were moved up to the 35-yard line in 2011. It all comes against the backdrop of ongoing concussion litigation, with a federal judge this week ordering the league and about 4,200 former players to negotiate how their case will be resolved.
"I think the NFL has led the way of all four pro sports as far as doing research and trying to make the game safer," Matava said. "Obviously, it's a collision sport. There are going to be injuries. I think everyone accepts that and understands that. We're just trying to make the injuries less serious and then try to make them less frequent."
WR Laurent Robinson said:
Last edited:
