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Your Anti-Doping Surgery Checklist for Planned and Emergency Hospital Treatments

YOUR ANTI-DOPING CHECKLIST FOR PLANNED AND EMERGENCY HOSPITAL TREATMENTS

For many athletes, both planned and emergency hospital visits may be necessary for injury treatment and/or surgery. However, athletes who competed in sanctioned events must take certain steps to account for anti-doping rules, which prohibit substances and methods that may be used during treatment or surgery at a hospital.

There are different steps to take for planned and emergency hospital treatments, but athletes’ health and well-being must always remain the top priority. Consequently, emergency medical care should never be withheld on grounds that the substance or method is prohibited. Keep in mind that all the decisions about your medical care are between you and your physician.

Use the checklists below to address your anti-doping responsibilities before a planned hospital visit, or during and after an emergency visit.

PLANNED HOSPITAL VISIT FOR TREATMENT OR SURGERY

  • Before meeting with your physician to finalize a treatment plan, download a TUE application form and bring it to your appointment in case you need to apply for a TUE.
  • Talk with your physician about the recommended treatment. Make sure your doctors and nurses know that you are an athlete subject to drug testing and that you would like to check the prohibited status of all medications and methods that you may receive during treatment.
  • Search for the medications on GlobalDRO.com or contact the Drug Reference Line at 719-785-2000 (option 2) or by emailing drugreference@usada.org to find out if any of the medications are prohibited. USADA can also help you determine if any of the methods are prohibited.
    REMEMBER: All IV infusions and/or injections of any substance, prohibited or permitted, in excess of 100 mL per 12-hour period are prohibited at all times, except for those legitimately received in the course of hospital treatment, surgical procedures, or clinical diagnostic investigations. In all other circumstances, an approved TUE is required in advance of an IV infusion above the limit and/or involving a prohibited substance.
  • If the proposed substances or methods are prohibited, ask your physician if any non-prohibited alternatives are appropriate for your treatment. You can find non-prohibited alternatives for most medications by searching GlobalDRO.com.
  • If you need to use a medication that is prohibited at all times, you must apply for a TUE.
  • Submit the TUE to USADA in advance of your treatment involving a prohibited substance or method. Let USADA know when your surgery (or other treatment) will take place.

**PLEASE NOTE THAT IT MAY TAKE 3-5 BUSINESS DAYS TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE.**

EMERGENCY HOSPITAL TREATMENT OR SURGERY

  • Your health should be your top priority. It is up to you and your treating medical provider(s) - physicians, PAs, NPs, nurses, paramedics, EMTs, etc. to determine the best medical care for you. DO NOT CONTACT USADA TO APPROVE TREATMENT. That said, it’s in your best interest to inform ANY medical provider performing treatment on you that you are an athlete subject to anti-doping rules and will need to get copies of all clinical and/or laboratory notes with details of treatment, as well as any medications and/or methods (e.g., IVs) given. If a retroactive TUE is required, all medical evidence relevant to the diagnosis and emergency treatment/surgery will need to be included in a retroactive TUE application packet submitted to USADA.
  • For peace of mind, you or your representative may contact USADA’s TUE & Drug Reference Department (either by phone or email) to advise them you are receiving (or have received) emergency medical treatment. While you are not required to notify USADA, providing awareness of your medical situation to USADA may help determine next steps with regard to filing for a TUE (if necessary).
  • Following your emergency medical treatment and/or surgery, at the earliest opportunity, please check any medications/methods you were given on GlobalDRO.com. If your results indicate a substance is prohibited at all timer if you were given this emergency treatment during the in-competition period, please contact the TUE & Drug Reference Department to inquire about next steps. You may also submit a TUE Pre-Check via the webform located at the followings o link: Determine if a TUE is Needed.

Learn more about Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs)