Synthethic Cannabinoids-effects,treatments and outcomes within the ED.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Case Series' exploring the presentations, treatments and outcomes of individuals who have used Synthetic Cannabinoids and attended the Emergency Department in two Hampshire hospitals.
IRAS ID
212041
Contact name
Sarah Tyler
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
The foundation of the project is using patient notes (retrospective approach) having used the Trust's database of presentations to the Emergency Department to ascertain those who have presented as a result of using Synthetic Cannabinoids. These notes will then be used to draw data from (see 'Data Extraction Form') to then devise 'case series' for each presentation that summarise these findings. These results will then be discussed and trends identified in a basic table.
The use of Synthetic Cannabinoids (SC), a type of New Psychoactive Substance (NPS), known informally as legal highs, has been growing over the past decade and information on the harm they cause is largely unknown to practitioners and the general public. They have been responsible for a significant number of deaths and severe mental and physical effects. Measuring presentations to the Emergency Department (ED) will help to ascertain the extent of the danger. Case series of individuals who have used the drug and attended ED will aid in understanding and decreasing use of these dangerous drugs. This study will assist in identifying the problem, establishing most common effects and effective courses of treatment. It will provide initial research that can serve as a basis for future studies and education to propose changes to the way in which the professionals treat these presentations.REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SC/0699
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jan 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion