‘Relatively few’ injection spiking incidents, emergency doctors say

There have been "relatively few" incidents of spiking by injection in Ireland, according to doctors in emergency medicine.

Last month, gardaí confirmed they were investigating two cases of possible "injection spiking", relating to incidents in Dublin and Limerick.

There have also been several stories emerging from the UK of young women being needled spiked while out at night.

The Irish Association of Emergency Medicine (IAEM), said there had been extensive media coverage of the issue, with members of the public feeling they have been injured with an instrument such as a needle and that a toxic substance may have been administered.

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“The experience of Irish Emergency Departments (EDs) has been that such incidents are relatively few. In general, they are very low risk for the transmission a blood-borne infection,” a statement by the association said.

Emergency

“While EDs are there to ensure that acutely unwell patients receive the necessary emergency care they require, they have no role in situations where a victim or potential victim of such an incident is not acutely unwell as a result.”

The IAEM said suggestions that various ‘tests’ can be carried out to ascertain what, if any, substance has been inoculated are “ill-informed”.

“The only purpose of toxicology tests in the ED is to assist treatment in those who are acutely unwell,” the statement said.

The IAEM added that the risk of transmission of blood-borne infection through these types of incidents is “remote” and moved to assure the public that it is “not something to be concerned about”.

"Attendance at an ED is therefore unnecessary where a person feels that they may have sustained such an injury but are feeling well. Such incidents should be reported promptly to An Garda Síochána," the statement said.

“Where a victim of such an incident is acutely unwell, the emergency services should be contacted in the usual way and such patients will be brought to the ED for further medical management.”