{
  "abstract": "Background Spiking—covertly administering substances to individuals—can be traumatic, underreported, and difficult to quantify. The true prevalence remains unclear. This study aimed to estimate the proportion of ‘overdose’ patients attended by the North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (NEAS) where spiking was considered likely.Methods A retrospective manual review was conducted of electronic patient care records (ePCRs) for all patients coded as ‘overdose’ attended by NEAS between 1 April and 30 September 2024. Cases were assessed to determine the likelihood of spiking. Proportions were calculated overall and compared across different NEAS service areas. Additional variables included patient gender, caller identity, and hospital conveyance.Results Of 2,748 EPRs reviewed, spiking was judged likely in 18 cases (0.66%). Eight affected patients were female. There was more than a threefold variation in the proportion of suspected spiking between NEAS areas. Differences were also observed in gender distribution, caller identity, and rates of hospital conveyance.Abstract PP36 Figure 1Conclusions Suspected spiking was uncommon among NEAS ‘overdose’ attendances. Limitations include reliance on retrospective documentation and subjective assessment by a single reviewer. Low case numbers limit inter-area comparisons. As new legislation makes spiking a specific offence, robust, multi-agency, real-time monitoring will be essential to assess impact and respond to emerging ‘hot spots.’",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK"
      ],
      "name": "David Hardern"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Matthew Limmer"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Michelle Jackson"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Kat Noble"
    }
  ],
  "title": "PP36 Prevalence of spiking in patients coded as ‘overdose’ by ambulance clinicians",
  "uid": "7a2ed4f3-632b-581b-899b-978bafb623a7"
}