Q: What is the Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act?
A: This Act was written to ensure that schools, students, and parents are provided with critical, lifesaving information on sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) signs and symptoms, and risks to ensure students at risk are evaluated prior to participation in athletics, and that SCA is immediately recognized and treated to prevent death.

 

Q: What is the applicable statutory framework for the Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act?
A: Commissioner's Regulation §136.9, Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act Memo, and Commissioner Regulation 135.5 First Aid Knowledge and Skills Requirements for Coaches.

 

Q: Who does this apply to?
A: This applies to all school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools.

• If the nonpublic school is participating in a public school athletic league, the nonpublic school is required to follow the same requirements as public schools.
• If the nonpublic school is not participating in a public school athletic league, it is up to nonpublic schools to determine how to assess students who are at risk for SCA and the time interval that they choose to assess that risk.

 

Q: What are the definitions of “athletic activities” and “physical activities”?
A:

• Athletic activities mean participation in sessions for instruction and practice in skills, attitudes, and knowledge through participation in individual, group and team activities organized on an intramural, extramural, interschool athletic, or inclusive athletic basis to supplement regular physical education class instruction, otherwise known as extra class periods in physical education or extra class activities.
• Physical activities mean participation in physical education classes and recess or similar activities during the school day.

Q: Does the 'Family Cardiac History Reviewed' checkbox on the required NYS Health Examination form need to be checked at all?
A: No. The checkbox was added to the NYS Health Examination Form as a reminder for healthcare providers to assess family cardiac history.

 

Q: Does the 'Family Cardiac History Reviewed' checkbox on the required NYS Health Examination form need to be checked to participate in Physical Activities?
A: No. The checkbox was added to the NYS Health Examination Form as a reminder for healthcare providers to assess family cardiac history.

 

Q: Does the 'Family Cardiac History Reviewed' checkbox on the required NYS Health Examination form need to be checked to participate in Athletic Activities?
A: Requirements prior to participation:
If the NYS Required Health Exam form is completed within 30 days prior to participation.

• If “Family Cardiac History Reviewed” box is checked by the health care provider, the student is cleared to participate.
• If “Family Cardiac History Reviewed” box is NOT checked, or is not on the form, treat the exam as if it was more than 30 days prior to the start of the season. Obtain a completed Interval Health History form as noted below.

Or

If the NYS Required Health Exam form is completed more than 30 days prior to participation, the following is required:

• A completed Interval Health History form signed by the parent/guardian indicating there are no new personal or family risk factors since the last health exam.
• If new personal or family risk factors are identified since the last health exam, prior to participation, the student must be evaluated and receive signed written authorization from a health care provider, MD, DO, NP, or PA indicating the student has been cleared to participate.

Q: What is the definition of “athletic activities”?
A: Athletic activities mean participation in sessions for instruction and practice in skills, attitudes, and knowledge through participation in individual, group and team activities organized on an intramural, extramural, interschool athletic, or inclusive athletic basis to supplement regular physical education class instruction, otherwise known as extra class periods in physical education or extra class activities.

 

Q: What is the purpose of the Interval Health History form?
A: The Sample Interval Health History form has questions to help identify changes since the last health examination or health history was completed. School health personnel may require a student with health or history changes to see a healthcare provider before participating in athletics. The form includes questions that elicit information on signs, symptoms, and risk factors of SCA.

 

Q: Can a certified athletic trainer review the interval health history form?
A: Certified athletic trainers cannot review the form as the form includes health information which exceeds their statutory scope of practice. The interval health history form will need to be reviewed by the medical director or an RN (if delegated) before participation in athletics.

 

Q: What are the school responsibilities and requirements for athletics?
A:

• Schools must include the definition of SCA and signs and symptoms of pending or increased risk of SCA on consent forms required from a parent/guardian for a student’s participation in interscholastic sports.
• Schools must reference how to find SCA information on the NYSED and/or NYSDOH websites or include this information on the district's website if one exists.
  • Schools can meet these requirements by listing the signs and symptoms of SCA and increased risk on the consent form or refer the NYSDOH Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Youth website, the NYSED School Health Services website, or the school website where that information is posted.
• Schools must immediately remove from athletic activity any student displaying signs and/or symptoms of pending or increased risk of SCA.

 

Q: Is there a requirement for coaches related to the Dominic Murray SCA Act?
A: Yes, coaches of extra-class athletic activities in both public and nonpublic schools are required to complete a course in first aid knowledge and skills from a nationally recognized organization. Courses must include instruction in recognizing signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac arrest. See Coach Preparation & Licensing | New York State Education Department and Courses Accepted as Meeting the Coaches' First Aid and CPR/AED Requirements.

 

Q: What are the requirements prior to participation in athletics?
A: Requirements prior to participation:
If the NYS Required Health Exam form is completed within 30 days prior to participation.

• If “Family Cardiac History Reviewed” box is checked by the health care provider, the student is cleared to participate.
• If “Family Cardiac History Reviewed” box is NOT checked, or is not on the form, treat the exam as if it was more than 30 days prior to the start of the season. Obtain a completed Interval Health History form as noted below.

Or

If the NYS Required Health Exam form is completed more than 30 days prior to participation, the following is required:

• A completed Interval Health History form signed by the parent/guardian indicating there are no new personal or family risk factors since the last health exam.
• If new personal or family risk factors are identified since the last health exam, prior to participation, the student must be evaluated and receive signed written authorization from a health care provider, MD, DO, NP, or PA indicating the student has been cleared to participate.

 

Q: Is an Interval Health History form required in nonpublic schools?
A:

• If the nonpublic school is participating in a public school athletic league, the nonpublic school is required to follow the same requirements as public schools.
• If the nonpublic school is not participating in a public school athletic league, it is up to nonpublic schools to determine how to assess students who are at risk for SCA and the time interval that they choose to assess that risk.

 

Q: Which cardiac arrhythmias in a student’s family history indicate the need for evaluation?
A: Only those arrhythmias listed in the NYSED Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act memo or on the NYSDOH Website indicate a need for further evaluation by a healthcare provider.

 

Q: Does this pertain to before or after school intramurals as well?
A: Yes, if the activity meets the definition of “athletic activities” in Commissioner’s Regulations 136.9(b) and is a school-sponsored event.

 

Q: What type of clearance is required for an athlete removed from athletic activities with signs and symptoms of pending or increased risk of SCA?
A: A student removed from athletic activities with signs and/or symptoms of pending or increased risk of SCA must receive signed written authorization from a NYS licensed physician (MD or DO) clearing the student to resume athletic activities.

• For students attending a public school, no such student shall resume such activities until the student has also received clearance from the director of school health services to participate in such activity.

 

Q: Can the district medical director perform an evaluation for students with signs and symptoms of or pending or increased risk for SCA?
A: No, a student being evaluated for signs and symptoms of pending or increased risk of SCA should be seen by a private healthcare provider in a healthcare setting where the provider has access to any needed healthcare resources and tests.

 

Q: If a student has been removed from athletics with signs and symptoms of SCA and has been evaluated and received written signed authorization, does the student have to be re-evaluated if the same signs and symptoms reoccur?
A: No, a student who has been cleared for certain signs and symptoms or risk factors does not have to be reevaluated for the same signs and symptoms unless there has been a change. The written signed authorization should be filed in the cumulative health record.

 

Q: Can the student participate in practice while waiting for their clearance?
A: No, they must be cleared by a healthcare provider before participating in athletics, which includes practice. They can attend practices as long as they don't participate.

 

Q: Are students who participate in a sport but train for that sport outside of the season required to provide a separate Interval Health History form for the off-season?
A: No.

Q: What is the definition of “physical activities”?
A: Physical activities mean participation in physical education classes and recess or similar activities during the school day.

 

Q: What are the school responsibilities and requirements for physical activities?
A: Schools must immediately remove from physical activities any student displaying signs and symptoms of pending SCA and receive written clearance.

 

Q: What type of clearance is required for a student who is removed from physical activities with signs and/or symptoms of pending SCA?
A: A student who is removed from physical activities with signs and/or symptoms of pending SCA must be evaluated and receive written and signed authorization from a health care provider (MD, DO, NP, PA) to resume physical activities.

 

Q: Can the district medical director perform an evaluation for students with signs and symptoms of or pending or increased risk for SCA?
A: No, a student being evaluated for signs and symptoms of pending or increased risk of SCA should be seen by a private healthcare provider in a healthcare setting where the provider has access to any needed healthcare resources and tests.

 

Q: Are there any requirements prior to participation in physical activities?
A: N/A.

 

Q: If a student has been removed from physical activities with signs and symptoms of SCA and has been evaluated and received written signed authorization, does the student have to be re-evaluated if the same signs and symptoms reoccur?
A: No, a student who has been cleared for certain signs and symptoms or risk factors does not have to be reevaluated for the same signs and symptoms unless there has been a change. The written signed authorization should be filed in the cumulative health record.