TY - JOUR T1 - It is time to give concussion an operational definition: a 3-step process to diagnose (or rule out) concussion within 48 h of injury: World Rugby guideline JF - British Journal of Sports Medicine JO - Br J Sports Med SP - 642 LP - 643 DO - 10.1136/bjsports-2016-095959 VL - 50 IS - 11 AU - Martin Raftery AU - Simon Kemp AU - Jon Patricios AU - Michael Makdissi AU - Philippe Decq Y1 - 2016/06/01 UR - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/50/11/642.abstract N2 - Concussion is the number one injury risk in contact and collision sports. Identification of concussive events is critical to optimise injury management and, as identified by Quarrie and Murphy,1 to undertake accurate injury surveillance studies.The Zurich Consensus Statement on Concussion2 provides an expanded theoretical or conceptual definition of concussion but there is not yet an operational definition of concussion.In 2012 World Rugby introduced a new pitch side process for assessment of head injuries, called the head injury assessment (HIA).3 During the evolution of this process an operational definition of concussion has been developed and successfully implemented.This World Rugby operational definition of concussion was developed with the intent of increasing recognition and sensitivity of diagnosis within the sport and subsequently to improve player welfare and safety. Confirmed cases of concussion must follow the recommended rest and graduated return to play programme that serves as a final part of the serial evaluation process.During the development of this operational definition of concussion it was agreed that this definition should address the timing of concussion assessment(s), how the diagnosis of concussion is confirmed or excluded and the … ER -