08-02-2006, 04:17 AM
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Pre-operative Assessment - Jehovah’s Witnesses (UK Dept of Health)
Link > Guidelines for the appropriate selection of blood donors in the UK
UK Department of Health Guidelines on pre-assessment of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Quote:
In view of the range of individual choice displayed by patients who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, it is essential to establish ahead of time their personal views regarding the use of blood, blood products and autologous transfusion procedures, for any of these that might be applicable in their treatment/surgery.
If it is likely that the surgery to be undertaken will require blood transfusion, it becomes the responsibility of the clinician in charge of the patient’s care to ensure that in addition to appropriate preparation detailed above, the position regarding the administration of blood or blood products is clarified preoperatively. The responsible clinician should discuss with any Jehovah’s Witness patient the implications of a refusal to accept blood.
If the patient’s refusal of blood and blood products is absolute, the clinician must decide whether he is able to treat the patient whilst fully complying with the patient’s wishes.
If the clinician is unable to comply with the wishes of the patient, he must refer him to a colleague who does feel able to do so.
Once the decision is made to proceed, the patient must give valid informed consent. This may include supplying a copy of their Advance Decision (Advance Directive) document, which details their wishes on specific aspects of transfusion. The Royal College of Surgeons, in their “Code of Practice for The Surgical Management of Jehovah’s Witness” provide an example of a ‘No Blood’ Consent document (Publications — The Royal College of Surgeons of England) which is commonly used, and when correctly completed prohibits transfusion.
In addition it may be appropriate to complete a checklist detailing which blood products are acceptable to the patient.
It is essential that all individuals who are involved in the patient’s care are aware of the details of the patient’s wishes regarding the use of blood products and are committed to treating the patient in accordance with these.
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(Link to RCS Policy document is >>> Code of Practice for the Surgical Management of Jehovah's Witnesses — The Royal College of Surgeons of England )
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