Clinical Decision-Making and Ongoing Assessment

BOC Domains of Athletic Training: Domain II - Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis Domain Ill - Critical Incident Management Domain IV - Therapeutic Interventions Domain V - Healthcare Administration and Professional Responsibility Presentation Description: This presentation focuses on honing clinical decision-making skills in the context of respiratory distress cases. You'll learn to develop proficient assessment techniques and make informed decisions when creating treatment plans for athletes facing respiratory issues and emergencies. We'll also emphasize the significance of ongoing assessment in monitoring treatment responses and identifying changes in conditions. These skills are vital for ensuring athletes receive continuous care and interventions are adjusted as needed. Learning Objectives: Develop proficient assessment and decision-making skills when devising treatment plans for respiratory distress cases. Recognize the importance and process of ongoing assessment to gauge treatment responses and changes in conditions for patients presenting respiratory issues and emergencies. Clinical Practice Gap Statement: Athletic trainers often find themselves at the crossroads of making crucial clinical decisions, particularly in cases involving respiratory distress. However, a noticeable deficiency exists in their confidence and efficacy to do so. Additionally, the continuous evaluation of patient responses—a vital part of treatment plan adaptation—is often underappreciated. Bridging these gaps is indispensable for enhancing the quality of emergency respiratory care rendered by athletic trainers. Clinical Bottom Line Statement: The pillars of effective respiratory emergency care in athletic training are robust clinical decision-making and a commitment to ongoing assessment. This presentation seeks to instill athletic trainers with the essential skills and nuanced understanding needed to excel in both areas. Through mastering these competencies, athletic trainers will be better equipped to make educated, timely decisions and to fine-tune treatment approaches, thereby improving athlete outcomes significantly. Summary Conclusion Statements: Mastery of assessment and decision-making is non-negotiable for dealing with respiratory emergencies. Regular and informed assessment is vital for the evolution and efficacy of treatment plans. This presentation offers the tools athletic trainers need for the provision of highest-quality care.

    Dr. Eric J. Fuchs is a Professor of Athletic Training in the Department of Parks, Recreation, Exercise & Sports Science & serves as an adjunct faculty in the EKU Center for Wilderness Medicine & Outdoor Public Safety.  Dr. Fuchs served as Chair of the Department of Exercise & Sport Science at EKU from 2016 to Dec 2022. Prior to Chair, he served as the ATEP Program Director for 10 years and oversaw the programs transition from BS in AT to a CAATE accredited MS in AT Program. Dr. Fuchs has authored a textbook chapter on Emergency Medication Administration.  He clinically practices as an Athletic Trainer serving as the Director of Sports Medicine for Festival Sports Inc. where he directs the medical care and services for the Volleyball Festival, a 600 team girls juniors AAU West Coast Nationals event.  Dr. Fuchs serves as a member of RedSTAR – a Special Treatment, Access and Rescue Wilderness Medicine Team for the Red River Gorge a special operations EMS unit with Powell County EMS.  Dr. Fuchs also serves as a member of the medical staff for Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon and associated races.  Dr. Fuchs serves as a member of the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) Taskforce developing the written protocols and educational requirements for the Kentucky Wilderness Paramedic certification (WP-C), specifically writing section on Joint Reduction and Fracture re-alignment, covering all joints and fractures. Dr. Fuchs has had extensive experience in emergency care of the critically injured athlete and published a chapter on Emergency Medications & Administration. He has been an invited speaker on IV, wound care, emergency care of critically injured patients, suturing, and airway management both regionally and nationally within the AT and EMS professions.  Dr. Fuchs currently served as a member of the Kentucky Athletic Trainers Advisor Council Taskforce drafting the medication formulary and invasive procedure for the Kentucky Administrative Regulations (KARs) for the Kentucky AT practice act.  Dr. Fuchs is an Associate Expert for the RehbergKonin Group, a firm specializing in sports medicine expert services and risk management.  Dr. Fuchs has provided expert witness and consulting services for legal cases.  Dr Fuchs has also co-authored two book chapters one titled Reimbursement and Legal Considerations and second titled Management Strategies in Athletic Training.  Dr. Fuchs served as the CAATE representative to and member of the BOC Maintenance of Competence Task Force.  Dr. Fuchs currently serves as a peer reviewer for the CAATE.  He serves as an active volunteer medical staff member for the USOPC and has worked two UCI Supercross BMX Americas World Cup events in addition to providing volunteer coverage at USOPTC to a variety of sports. Dr. Fuchs completed his Doctor of Arts at MTSU, his Master of Art’s in Athletic Training at San Jose State University and his BS in Athletic Training & Health Education from Ohio University.

Action Medicine Consultants, LLC (BOC AP#: P12095) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs). This program is eligible for a maximum of 0.75 Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program. GENERAL DISCLAIMER: It is the responsibility of the participant, relying on the independent expertise and knowledge of the patient, to determine the best treatment and method of application for the patient. Participants must use discretion when using the information contained within this presentation.  The presenter has provided the following regarding disclaimers: The information and content provided in this course are for informational purposes only. The presenter nor Action Medicine Consultants, LLC bears no liability for your use of this information and content. The views expressed in this course are those of the presenter(s). CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: In compliance with continuing education requirements, all presenters must disclose any financial or other associations with the manufacturers of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services, or commercial supporters as well as any use of unlabeled product(s) or product(s) under investigational use.  This presentation does not involve the unlabeled use of a product or product under investigational use.  During the presentation, the presenter provides disclosure of any relevant financial relationships or other associations.  Refund Policy:  Live (virtual or in-person) Courses - Full refunds (Minus 10% for handling fees) are given after completion of the course if cancellation request is received 14 days prior to the course date. No refunds will be given after this deadline, but fees may be applied to another current or a future course. This also applies to virtual courses if a technical issue occurred on the presenter side that prevented a full presentation from being performed. On-Demand Courses - No refunds will be given, but fees may be applied to another current or a future course if there is a technical issue in Action Medicine Consultant's delivery of the course and in which no certificate of completion was issued.