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Physicals

Interscholastic Sports Physicals

 

The New York State Education Law requires that all students participating in interscholastic sports must have a physical examination. The West Islip School District is mandating student athletes to obtain their own sports physical from private physicians. All physicians who administer a physical are required to complete the form provided by the school district. Students are to return the completed form to the nurse’s office of their respective school upon completion of the physical. Sport sign-ups are conducted through FinalForms.

1. Must use West Islip Public Schools Medical Examination Form.
 **Form can be obtained from school building health office and District Office or downloaded here. 

2. The physical will be at the expense of the parent. 

3. Upon completion of the physical, return the completed form to the school nurse’s office of your respective school.

Sport physicals are valid for one year.

Dominick Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act


The Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act  is a new law as of July 1, 2022. This law requires schools, students, and parents/guardians be informed of sudden cardiac arrest risks, signs, and symptoms. Note that sudden cardiac arrest in children and youth is rare, with 0.61 occurrences in every 100,000 children.1

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is an emergency that happens when the heart suddenly stops working. SCA can cause death if not treated immediately, and death may occur even with treatment – cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED).  All public schools are required to have a staff member trained in the use of CPR and AED in school and at all school athletic events.

Preventing SCA before it happens is the best way to save a life.2 Both your family health history and your child’s personal history must be told to healthcare providers so they are aware if your child is at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Ask your child if they have any of the symptoms listed below and inform your healthcare provider. Also, know your family history and inform your healthcare provider of any risk factors listed below. 

Signs or symptoms:

  • Fainting or seizure, especially during or right after exercise or with excitement or when startled Racing heart, palpitations, or irregular heartbeat
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or extreme fatigue with exercise
  • Chest pain or discomfort with exercise
  • Excessive shortness of breath during exercise
  • Excessive, unexpected fatigue during or after exercise


Student's Family History Risk Factors are:

  • Use of diet pills, performance-enhancing supplements, energy drinks, or drugs such as cocaine, inhalants, or “recreational” drugs.2
  • Elevated blood pressure or cholesterol
  • History of health care provider ordered test(s) for heart related issues
  • Family history of known heart abnormalities or sudden death before 50 years of age
  • Family members with unexplained fainting, seizures, drowning, near drowning or car accidents before 50 years of age
  • Structural heart abnormality, repaired or unrepaired
  • Any relative diagnosed with the following conditions:
    • Enlarged Heart/ Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy/Dilated Cardiomyopathy
    • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
    • Heart rhythm problems, long or short QT interval
    • Brugada Syndrome
    • Catecholaminergic Ventricular Tachycardia
    • Marfan Syndrome- aortic rupture
    • Heart attack at 50 years or younger
    • Pacemaker or implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD)

 

Finally, the law requires any student who has signs and symptoms of pending SCA be removed from athletic activity until seen by a physician. The physician must provide written clearance to the school for the student to be able to return to athletics.

(Followed by Student Accident Information)


1 Maron BJ, Doerer JJ, Haas TS, et al. Sudden deaths in young competitive athletes: analysis of 1866 deaths in the United States, 1980-2006. Circulation 2009;119:1085-92. 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.804617

2 SCA Prevention Toolkit – Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation (epsavealife.org)