It is time to give concussion an operational definition : a 3-step process to diagnose (or rule out) concussion within 48 hours of injury : World Rugby guideline

Abstract

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 Murphy¹, 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 HIA³ (Head Injury Assessment). During the evolution of this process an operational definition of concussion has been developed and successfully implemented.