legal right to refuse or reject a transfusion. Exceptions include diminished decision-making capacity, a legal intervention, or a legal document that mandates treatment. Most Jehovah’s Witnesses will decline transfusion of whole blood products, but if possible, discuss the specifics alone with the patient. Some will accept a blood transfusion privately”. (Senior, 2024). It would all come down to the nurse having open communication with the patient and deciding whether refusing the blood transfusion is something the patient truly wants to follow through with, or if there are other options available.
References
Senior, R. (2024, May 20). When blood transfusion isn’t an option. American Nurse. https://www.myamericannurse.com/when-blood-transfusion-isnt-an-option-jehovahs-witnesses/#:~:text=Ethical%20and%20legal%20concerns,refuse%20or%20reject%20a%20transfusion.
Lee Discussion
I will never forget this dilemma because similar ones are talked about in class, and it is still questionable as to what the correct answer is. I was taking a pediatric patient to another hospital to get a life-sustaining surgery. My patient had low blood pressure, and we were getting close to the maximum dose ranges on our pressers. We carry blood that would have helped our situation immensely, but we could not give it because, you guessed it, the family was Jehovah’s Witnesses. I remember this one because we did get permission to use blood as a last resort from the family, but they stressed their feelings. This is usually not the norm in JW’s. The dilemma came when we were in transport, and my partner thought to give the blood to increase the survival odds of the child and to keep his MAP pressures in a more manageable range. I could have easily given the blood and just stated we needed to. We don’t take anyone with us during flight so the family would not have known. It would have also been better for the child so we could ween him off of the other pressers. However, we also knew how strongly the family didn’t want blood given, and we still had options. We decided to hold off, and the transport was successful. I vehemently disagree with JW’s “policies, and I think community laws need to be changed to prevent allowing children to suffer because of their family religion.
In this situation, I agree with my decision, but I get frustrated when I talk about similar situations. I think we have to always follow the client’s wishes and needs even if we don’t agree.
It sounds like you faced a profoundly challenging ethical dilemma in your work with a pediatric patient whose family belonged to the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith, which prohibits blood transfusions under most circumstances. Your narrative illustrates the complexity of balancing patient autonomy, family beliefs, and medical necessity in critical care situations.
Your decision to respect the family’s wishes, despite the potential medical benefits of a blood transfusion, aligns with ethical principles that prioritize patient autonomy and respect for cultural and religious beliefs. It’s commendable that you and your partner prioritized open communication and transparency with the family, seeking permission for a blood transfusion as a last resort and ultimately respecting their decision.
Your frustration with the situation reflects a common sentiment among healthcare providers who may personally disagree with certain religious or cultural practices, especially when they perceive it as potentially detrimental to patient outcomes. However, navigating these sensitive issues requires adherence to legal and ethical standards that protect patient rights, including the right to refuse treatment based on religious beliefs.
In healthcare, such dilemmas often underline the importance of clear communication, ethical reasoning, and sensitivity to diverse cultural and religious perspectives. It’s essential to continue advocating for policies and practices that uphold patient autonomy while ensuring that medical decisions are based on informed consent and shared decision-making whenever possible.
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