What does LCPS do to deal with sports-related traumatic brain injuries?

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- The recent release of Abe Romero's autopsy, the Organ Mountain football player who died last month, has brought up questions regarding the way the district deals with concussions.

ABC-7 reached out to Las Cruces Public Schools regarding their concussion protocols. They sent us a copy of their concussion management protocol, which details three levels of steps that are to be taken if an athlete is believed to be suffering from a concussion, which is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The first level is management. An athlete who "exhibits signs and/or symptoms of a concussion while participating with a Las Cruces Public Schools athletic event team will be removed for the remainder of the event, [and] will not be allowed to perform any activities that may increase the severity of the signs and/or symptoms" according to the protocol.

The athlete will also undergo concussion evaluations from "team physician[s] or athletic trainers." If neither are present, the head coach is then responsible for keeping the athlete out of the game, as well as for contacting the athlete's parents.

The second level is referral. At this level, steps will be taken to provide emergency medical transport for an athlete if they are experiencing severe concussion symptoms, such as loss of consciousness and spine injuries. The athlete may also be referred if the symptoms haven't improved or worsened after 10 days.

The third and final level is a gradual return to play, which gradually allows an athlete to start participating in the sport again after symptoms have been gone for 24 hours.

LCPS also told us that all middle and high school athletes in the district are required to take the National Federation of State High School Association's "Student Concussion" course, which takes around 45 minutes.