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ATHLETIC TRAINER'S CORNER
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Out there in the real world, one athletic trainer experienced the following:
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I have been fortunate in my career to have worked as an athletic trainer (AT) for two different high schools—one small and one big—and to have served as the head AT for a Division III college. One thing I can be certain of is that no matter the size of an organization, careful budgeting is crucial, regardless of your budget. The task of managing a large budget and inventory can seem daunting, but you have to be just as careful—if not more creative—with a tiny budget as well. Regardless of your budget, my advice is to get to know your suppliers well and determine how they can help you with your needs. Also, keep meticulous records to help with ordering from year to year. You might not feel prepared to manage your first supply budget, but with careful planning you can make those dollars stretch. If you are taking over a program, ask the athletic director (or your supervisor) for a copy of the athletic training budget expenditures from the previous year. This information can be a helpful guide for what you need to order and keep you from struggling with what and how much to order.
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Erika Smith-Goodwin, PhD, ATC
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Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty
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Professor of Athletic Training
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learning outcomes
After working through this chapter, you will be able to:
Describe the components in designing a safe and efficient athletic training facility.
Identify and explain the components of capital and operational budgets.
Explain the statutes that regulate the privacy and security of medical records.
Identify the components involved with maintaining accurate medical records and ways of managing patient files.
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MODEL SCENARIO 1: EDDIE SCOTLAND
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Every 2 years, Eddie Scotland, a head AT, collects the athletic training documentation sheets for revisions. Mr. Scotland knows the importance of documentation and therefore views this task as one way to help make program improvements. He will revise the documents to coincide with the format that is used in the new computer software program that was recently purchased for patient file management (Fig. 29-1). The new injury progress sheets will follow more of a subjective, objective, assessment, and plan (SOAP) note format, and the daily treatment log will be broadened to include the treatment instead of just the athletes' names and the sports in which they participate. Mr. Scotland wants the athletic training students to understand the importance of thorough records and documentation and will hold a training session with them at the start of the new semester. However, a colleague is insisting that there is no longer a need for paper documentation.
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