I would like to thank everyone for there advice. I am getting good support from my HTC and understand a lot more now than I did a few weeks ago! Keep sending me advice it nice to know you lot out there are supporting me indirectly. Thanks again keep up the good work and support.

Dear Haywoodm,

I too am a nurse in the UK and also a JW. I can appreciate the problems that you have. For the last 3 years I've attended Annual Meetings for Alternatives to Blood Transfusions arranged by a local Haematology unit.
They have emminent speakers and researchers in Anaesthesiology and Haematology from prominent hospitals across the UK.
If you are interested in attending the next Annual meeting in 2006, please contact me via my email and I can send you the details when I recieve them,

Regards,

James.

You would contact Hospital attorneys and the local HLC, if it has been established that the patient is one of Jehovah's Witnesses, however some of the next of kin were pushing for a blood transfusion. The Law in this regard would side with the fact that if conscious, one of Jehovah's Witnesses would refuse a transfusion, and the next of kin cannot override this fact once it has been established. However the doctor with out some outside help would not understand this interpretation of the law.

I just had the opposite situation. Patient was an unconscious non-Jehovah's Witness, but the family were all Jehovah's Witnesses. They stated that brother would not object to a blood transfusion if life was in danger, but they could not sign for the blood transfusion. We just kept going down the list of relatives until a non-witness was found. No frustration or emotion.

In reference to J.W. commiting suicide by not takins a blood transfusion. Does that mean that people who smoke are commiting suicide? That leads to more deaths.

__________________
Yvette Bunch

If someone chooses to join the army and fight in combat because they strongly believe they should...is that suicide? Is their family to be condemned for supporting their decision?

__________________
Mr. Jan B. Wade
Blood Management Consultant
Enhance Outcomes - Control Cost
For Information Call - 360 296-1807
Email

If a patient makes an informed choice to decline chemo or radiation therapy for cancer is that suicide? While radiation or chemo may prolong or even "save" the patient's life it is the patient's choice. We may not agree with the choices patients make but as healthcare providers we must respect and legally abide by their decision.

Ok Ok lets forget about the suicide remark! One member of staff in theatre mentioned this and I wanted to get some feed back as to what were the thoughts out there................bad idea! Sorry

I'm puzzled. I'm wondering the same question as the poster you quoted--why would you call anyone if you had next of kin? Why from a legal standpoint, I mean. Perhaps the difference between states and countries' laws is the cause of confusion.

Hospitals always have written policies about this issue, so I do not agree a doctor could not understand the law without help. That's what the policies are there for; they provide a concise explanation of the law and hospital procedures in compliance with the law. The physician or any other provider involved in the case would first refer to the policy to get clarification on the law.

The suggestion might be to get HIS and/or the HLC involved ASAP, but the suggestion fails to acknowledge patient confidentiality.

If a patient is unconscious and the "interested attendant/other" states that the patient is JW, hospital staff do not have the freedom to violate patient confidentiality to contact the HLC/HIS. The one who is aware of the pateint's JW status may contact them, but not hospital staff.

If a JW, or a person with a JW, fails to contact the HLC/HIS, a hosiptal staff in unable to do so for the same reasons of confidentiality.

If a JW fails to complete, sign, or carry, their AD on thier person it makes you wonder what their true motives are in doing so.

As to the matter of "suicide": anyone who takes any action where there is a reasonable expectation that they forfeit their life as a result, is participating in their own death ... suicide by the loosest definition. In this case it is religion-assisted suicide, and it creates as much emotional angst as physician-assisted suicide.

Evelyn_M,

After re-reading my comments and your response I see how they caused you pain. I am sorry that my words seemed to call your motives into question. You have as much right to your opinion as I do. My zealous reaction sprang from a real concern and sense of protection for a patient group I have served for many years. Please feel free to email me in private if you wish.

Sincerely - Jan Wade

__________________
Mr. Jan B. Wade
Blood Management Consultant
Enhance Outcomes - Control Cost
For Information Call - 360 296-1807
Email