Lupin: It is good that you are completing your DPA before you have a problem and need it. Probably the best answer to your question would be to familiarize yourself
with the "alternatives" such as Fractions and procedures that are considered not blood but conscience matters. That way you would be able to fill in part B more appropriately. There is plenty of information on this site or you might be able to attend a Seminar in a city near you that has a "Bloodless Center"

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Jan Graziani - LVN
Chicago, IL USA

You should also get the instruction sheet and look it over. There are suggestions on how to handle the questions if none of the options truly express your wishes.

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Jo Valenti, RN
CBMS
Kennedy Health System

You could also read the information provided by the WTS.

You can also read old Watch Tower articles, particularly 'Questions from Readers' that address fractions and procedures involving your own blood that do not involve storage. If you have further questions you can ask a member of the Hospital Liaison Committee ( an elder can help you get in touch with them). HLC members generally have a deeper understanding of transfusion alternatives than some elders. If you have a local hospital with a "bloodless" program the coordinator there may also be available to help you understand more about your options. After studying and praying on this you should be able to reach decisions that your conscience is comfortable with.

Elizabeth Crum, MSN, RN, CCRN
Coordinator, Center for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery
Hackensack Univ. Medical Center
Hackensack, NJ 07601

Thank you for your replys. I have already done my research and i have decided on what my concience will allow me to accept. However the B section to my understanding asks me to stat what i will accept. So my question is... if i state there my allowance of certian things such as minor blood fractions, Cell Savers, or Hemo-dilution is that all that the medical staff will be able to treat me with or would they consult my primary health care agent for other options of treatments that are not stated?

It would most likely depend on what kind of facility you are in. If the facility and practioners are not very familiar with the options the information on the card might not mean much to them. You should both write down the options you choose and clearly tell your health care representative what you want. Doing both things raises the likelihood that your decisions are respected. Again, the instruction sheet has helpful suggestions on how you could word it.

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Jo Valenti, RN
CBMS
Kennedy Health System

Nausicaachan, don't let the few negative comments about option "C" bother you. Jo's advice is good. Research now is vital. However, it's difficult to know all of the available options (components/procedures). Option "C" keeps your options open after you or your Representative hears the doctor's explanation and/or recommendations. While some medical professionals may not like having to spend that extra time explaining the options, that's okay. The "good" ones will be pleased to patiently explain this to you (or your Rep). Yes, we need to be as educated on the alternatives as possible. However, as the medical pros will tell you, the options are constantly changing...for the better. If you're unconscious, your Representative can make the decision based on your prior discussion regarding your feelings. In summary, selecting option "C" doesn't mean you don't need to do your research now (you do), it simply means you want to keep an open mind to all components/procedures as the circumstances may dictate.

Hope my wandering thoughts help.

The main problem with option c is that there are circumstances when there is either no opportunity to discuss with the patient or the person's health care representative is not availalble to discuss. In a tauma setting for instance when the person is not conscious and the representative is also a victim or just not there. I have experienced those situations. If option c is chosen then the physician can't use any options because they can't have the discussion first.

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Jo Valenti, RN
CBMS
Kennedy Health System

First of all thank you so much for your assistance. I was just telling my mother how important it is for us to get this taken care of.
I see the wisdom in both opptions... so is it possible to select C and then maybe attach a seperate sheet with certian clarifiers in case neither my representative or I can speak stating that i will allow the use of minor fractions and implements such as cell salvage, hemo-dilution, etc. ???

Lupin