Jehovah's Witnesses

Abstract

Physicians face a special challenge in treating Jehovah's Witnesses. Members of this faith have deep religious convictions against accepting homologous or autologous whole blood, packed RBCs, WBCs, or platelets. Many will allow the use of (non-blood-prime) heart-lung, dialysis, or similar equipment if the extracorporeal circulation is uninterrupted. Medical personnel need not be concerned about liability, for Witnesses will take adequate legal steps to relieve liability as to their informed refusal of blood. They accept nonblood replacement fluids. Using these and other meticulous techniques, physicians are performing major surgery of all types on adult and minor Witness patients. A standard of practice for such patients has thus developed that accords with the tenet of treating the "whole person'.

Surgery in Jehovah’s Witnesses – our experience

“…Understandably, caring for Jehovah's Witnesses might seem to pose both ethical and moral dilemmas for a physician dedicated to preserving life and health by employing all the techniques at his/her disposal [ 6 , 10 , 11 ]. Editorially prefacing a series of articles about major surgery on Witnesses, Harvey admitted to being annoyed by those beliefs that might interfere with his work.…”

“…Editorially prefacing a series of articles about major surgery on Witnesses, Harvey admitted to being annoyed by those beliefs that might interfere with his work. But he also added that surgeons too easily forgot that surgery “is a craft” dependent upon the personal technique of individuals, thus that technique could be improved [ 6 , 10 ]. Bolooki pointed out that most surgical procedures in that group of patients were associated with less risk than usual.…”

“…Bolooki pointed out that most surgical procedures in that group of patients were associated with less risk than usual. He stated that although the surgeons might feel that they were deprived of an instrument of modern medicine, he was convinced that by operating on these patients surgeons would learn a great deal [ 6 , 12 ].…”

“…Transfusion-free cardiac surgery is also performed in Jehovah's Witnesses’ neonates [ 8 , 9 ]. Some surgeons have declined to treat Jehovah's Witnesses because their stand on the use of blood products seemed to “tie the doctor's hands”, although many physicians have chosen to view the situation as only one more complication challenging their skills [ 6 ].…”

Surgical management in treatment of Jehovah′s witness in trauma surgery in Indian subcontinent

“…Many of the followers do allow use of (nonblood prime) heart-lung dialysis, or similar equipment if extracorporeal circulation is uninterrupted. A standard practice for treating such patients has been developed that suffices in treating the “whole person.”[4] Majority of legal battles have reinforced the patient rights of individual autonomy for accepting their treatment, even when the decision may not be medically acceptable. [5] The blood transfusion among JW against their wishes even as a life-saving procedure has caused postoperative psychosocial outcomes like depression, guilt, and this may persist for many years.…”