St Joseph Hospital announces an enhanced ability to diagnose and treat pediatric and adult patients with a concussion. Our Emergency Department physicians are board certified and have specialty training in the diagnosis and management of concussion. If required, referrals to concussion specialists for further management will be provided. "In the US, there are 3.8 million recreation and sports-related concussions a year. The New York State Senate passed the Concussion Management and Awareness Act this past year that requires schools to adopt rules and regulations for the recognition and monitoring of concussions in students. All of this is being done to address a deficiency in properly treating kids with concussions" says Shan Ahmed DO, MS, FACOEP, FACEP Director, Emergency Department. Children and adolescents are among those at greatest risk for concussion. The potential for concussion is greatest during activities where collisions can occur, such as during physical education (PE) class, playground time, or school-based sport activities. However, concussions can happen any time a student's head comes in to contact with a hard object, such as a floor, desk, or another student's head or body. Proper recognition and response to concussion can prevent further injury and help with recovery. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. Even what seems to be a mild bump to the head can be serious. Signs and symptoms of concussion may present immediately or be delayed by 2-3 days. There are numerous signs that may be observed or symptoms reported by the student and thus recognition through training is of the highest importance. St. Joseph Hospital is a 203-bed, community hospital that provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient medical, critical care and surgical services. Its Emergency Department cares for more than 37,000 patients a year and is open 24/7. St. Joseph Hospital is a member of the Nassau/Suffolk Hospital Council and the Long Island Health Network, a network of 10 hospitals that work together to lower health care costs and maintain local access to quality care to the communities they serve. The hospital is accredited by JCAHO, the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and Approved by the New York State Department of Health.