Eight years ago my sister was in a car accident. Broken jaw bone and broken leg. A south shore of Montreal, Quebec hospital admitted her.
Doctors and nurses took turns with serious accusations concerning my refusal for blood transfusion. Comments were outrageous like 'I suppose you don't care if your sister dies'. Although she did not loose her conscience during the ordeal staff maintained her cognitive state did not permit her to make decisions. Luckily the support of the rest of the familly for the no blood procedure helped although our 78 year old mother was pressured to make me change my mind.
During a visit I overheard a conversation between two surgeons who stated that they proceed with transfusions and simply do not tell the patient when they have to deal with ''this kind of people''.
Is it possible to withhold such crucial information? Has anyone heard of doctors simply proceeding to a transfusion without patient's concent or against his will without a court order?
To resume my sister is healthy and fine....never had a transfusion since familly took turns at the hospital day and night. Although the hospital refused for us to be in the room after visiting hours the waiting room was across the hall from her bed so we kept an eye on her just the same.