Clay County Hospital has taken a big step in preventing long-term brain injury for high school football players. The hospital recently donated $3000 for a helmet concussion monitoring system for the Flora High School Football team. The Flora Athletic Department recently began raising funds to purchase and install the device. The cost is estimated to be around $6000.
They system montiters impacts and helps to identify possible concussions. This information would allow coaches to bench players who have taken too many impacts past a certain threshold. Having a player sit out after receiving several serious blows to the head can help prevent injury.
“We are delighted to help with the Clay County football high school players and coaches in providing support in helping detect and prevent concussions and head injuries for these students,” said Clay County Hospital and Clinics CEO Chris Hunt. “As more data becomes available, effects from concussions and the realization that what was once considered a minor injury is now showing much more serious undertones in recovery time and emotional, mental and sleep related symptoms. With mounting evidence suggesting that concussions that happen earlier in life have a cumulative effect on the developing brain, finding ways to better spot and treat these serious head injuries in younger players is more pressing than ever.”