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Blood transfusion: implications of treating a Jehovah's Witness patient

Gladys Effa-Heap1

  • 1The Centre for Research in Primary and Community Care, Health and Human Science Research Institute, University of Hertfordshire, UK.

British Journal of Nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
|February 19, 2009
PubMed

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that an individual's life is contained within blood, and that accepting transfusion of blood and blood products is sinful. The administration of blood to a Jehovah's Witness who has refused to accept transfusion may lead to criminal or civil proceedings. From an ethical viewpoint, if a rational adult who has been fully apprised of the consequences of not receiving this treatment persists in a refusal, the decision should be respected. Medical and nursing staff faced with such a problem should explore fully with the patient any transfusion alternatives that the patient might find acceptable, such as cell salvage, volume expanders, antifibrinolytics and pharmaceutical options, such as erythropoietin. This article examines the legal and consent issues around blood transfusion in Jehovah's Witness patients and their implications for medical and surgical management.

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