[Medical attitude regarding the negative of receiving blood transfusions by Jehovah's Witness patients]

Hemoderivative and blood transfusions without proper medical indication bring uncertain benefits, increase health risks and adverse effects. It is necessary to also consider the patient's values and preferences and the denial to receive transfusions. A deficient medical evaluation and an unnecessary transfusion can generate untoward effects regarding patients' health and safety.

A retrospective, observational, and transverse study of 767 complaints for alleged denial of medical attention presented by Jehovah's Witness patients was undertaken, coupled with their denial to receive blood transfusions and their perception of the problem.

It was established that 95.6% of cases studied involved adult patients, while 4.4% involved underage patients, with a mean of 43 years. The majority of complaints appeared at the secondary level of medical attention, 64.5% came from social security institutions and 19% from private institutions. The motive for medical consultation was surgical in 91.9% cases. 98.7% of the complaints were due to a perceived denial of medical attention, associated to religious conviction. 1.3% of complaints were filed after having received blood transfusions, without proper patient consent. The major health problems were solved in different medical units from the beginning in 500 cases (65.2%). Medical care was provided in 450 cases, in private clinics, while 50 cases were cared for in public institutions without the need for transfusion.

Several studies coincide on the high number of unnecessary or unjustified blood transfusions. To improve the quality of transfusion medicine steps should be taken to install specialized hospital committees, update the use of guidelines based on the best scientific evidence, as well as to respect patient autonomy.