Apr 01, 2020 · Jehovah’s Witnesses, with at least 7.5 million active members worldwide and around 130 000 in the UK, are the most well-known religious community who decline transfusion of specific blood components. Their decision is not related to perceived risks of transfusion but is a scriptural stand based on biblical texts, such as ‘the life of all ...
Feb 05, 2007 · Hence discussion with a competent patient regarding transfusion should take place in private. If a patient does change his or her mind the physician needs to assess if this change might be a consequence of illness impairing the patient’s capacity to decide. If the Jehovah’s Witness lacks decision making capacity look to see if the patient ...
Jehovah's Witnesses are primarily known to physicians for their refusal of blood transfusions. Conflict arises at times with the medical staff concerning how best to manage their care. This article will begin with a brief description of the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses and will then recommend specific clinical strategies highlighting newer ...
Usually, Jehovah’s Witnesses carry ‘advanced directives’ which is a piece of writing that identifies them as Jehovah’s Witnesses and makes it known that they will refuse blood transfusion even in a life or death situation. Alternatively, the doctor could seek consent from family members - known as proxy consent.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that a human must not sustain his life with another creature's blood, and they recognize no distinction "between taking blood into the mouth and taking it into the blood vessels." It is their deep-seated religious conviction that Jehovah will turn his back on anyone who receives blood ...
Multiple transfusion alternatives have been developed, and many are generally acceptable to a Jehovah's Witness patient, including tranexamic acid, prothrombin complex concentrate, and fibrin glue.
Certain religious doctrines may discourage or even forbid routine medical care for children. Jehovah's Witnesses, for example, believe the Bible prohibits ingesting blood and that followers should either eschew blood transfusions or donate or store their own blood for transfusion.May 1, 2011
A small group of people belonging to a certain religion, called Jehovah's witness do not accept blood transfusion or blood products, based on biblical readings.
Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions but accept solid organ transplants. Six Jehovah's Witnesses received a kidney and/or a pancreas transplant in our center. After a mean follow-up of 31.4 months (range: 18 to 39) all the recipients are alive and well with functioning grafts.
Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions, including autologous transfusions in which a person has their own blood stored to be used later in a medical procedure, (though some Witnesses will accept autologous procedures such as dialysis or cell salvage in which their blood is not stored) and the use of packed RBCs ...Sep 29, 2009
While the U.S. Constitution protects the freedom to practice religion, courts have not interpreted that freedom to include the right to refuse lifesaving treatment for a child on the basis of that religion (11).Mar 29, 2018
Since the introduction of the blood ban in 1945, JW parents have fought for their rights to refuse blood on behalf of their children, based on religious beliefs and their right to raise children as they see fit.
In particular, when the patient is a minor, consent must be given by both parents or legal guardian. If parents are not in agreement or refuse the blood transfusion, consent must be requested at the probate judge; taking into account the degree of maturity of the minor, it is advisable to obtain his/ her assent.Apr 5, 2018
Jehovah's Witnesses do not observe holidays they believe to have pagan origins, such as Christmas, Easter, and birthdays. They do not salute the national flag or sing the national anthem, and they refuse military service. They also refuse blood transfusions, even those that could be life saving.
It is unlawful to administer blood to a patient who has refused it by the provision of an Advanced Directive or by its exclusion in a consent form. To do so may lead to criminal proceedings. A child's right to life is paramount and must be considered before the religious beliefs of his or her parents.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is available in more than 1300 hospitals in the US; this treatment, which provides enhancement of arterial oxygen content through plasma oxygen supersaturation, is an accepted but underutilized intervention for patients with severe anemia who cannot receive transfusion.Nov 23, 2020
The Watchtower lists all unacceptable blood and blood products, and non-blood alternatives that could be used as a substitute for blood. In the case of adult patients the courts have consistently supported the right to refuse blood on religious grounds.
On November 5, 1990 the United States passed the Federal Patient Self-Determination Act. This act requires that healthcare providers inform patients regarding their right to determine the extent of care they receive and the right to have their decisions respected by heath care personnel.
1. The Rabbinic principle of Pikuach Nefesh (appealed to by Jesus at Mat 12:11) dictates that the Law be superseded if it would result in loss of life. 2. The Bible refers to eating blood from animals killed for food, not blood transfusions that do not result in the death of the donor.
Haemoglobin is what makes blood blood, as it carries the oxygen. It is also a major component of blood by weight, accounting for 33% of red blood cells and 14% of whole blood. As such, to allow haemoglobin effectively makes the Watchtower's entire blood policy meaningless.
The New York Times of Nov 9, 1971, reported on a somewhat similar procedure whereby some days before one undergoes surgery as much as four pints of blood are removed and stored. During the operation the person's own stored blood is transfused back into him, thus avoiding the danger of disease and mismatched blood.
Rather than a major component, leukocytes only constitute 1% of the volume of blood. White blood cells are classified into different types, including neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte. Each type has distinct form and function, and constitutes just a fraction of one percent of blood.
Blood is a liquid made up of water, red cells, white cells, platelets, proteins, glucose, mineral ions, hormones, carbon dioxide, immunoglobulins, growth factors, albumin, plus a host of other substances. Bible writers made no such distinction. Blood as a whole either could or could not be used.
The reason the Noahide and Mosaic Law's stipulated bleeding an animal was out of respect for the life taken . Jesus shed blood at death was the ultimate gift, given to purchase the everlasting life of mankind.
The Watchtower Society conceded to the Australian Parliament that blood transfusions are at times essential to save lives. In the Hansard Committee, Vin Toole, representing the legal department of the Australian Branch of the Watchtower Society , makes such an admission.
The patient (or parents/guardians of young children) should be fully informed on diagnosis, prognosis and treatment recommendations so that informed health care decisions can be made. Parents have the legal right to make such decisions for their unemancipated children. In rare emergent situations where doctors believe it is necessary to obtain a court order to impose medical care for which the parents have not given consent (such as administering a blood transfusion), the parents should be informed of such intended action as early as possible so that they may also be represented in court.
Nationwide, there are approximately 1 million Jehovah’s Witnesses with 50,000 residing in the metropolitan Chicago area.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in Almighty God, Jehovah, the Creator of the heavens and earth. They believe that the very existence of the intricately designed wonders in the universe surrounding us reasonably argues that a supremely intelligent and powerful Creator produced it all. They also believe that Jehovah God had a purpose in his creations. Their beliefs are based on the Bible and not on “mere human speculations” or religious creeds. They consider the Bible’s 66 books to be inspired and historically accurate. They interpret the Bible literally except where the expressions or settings obviously indicate that they are figurative or symbolic. They understand that many of the prophecies of the Bible have been fulfilled, others are in the course of fulfillment and other still await fulfillment. They believe that the earth will remain forever and that all persons, living and dead, who will fit in with Jehovah’s purpose for a beautified, inhabited earth will live on it forever.
Jehovah’s Witnesses accept medial and surgical treatment. They do not adhere to so-called “faith healing” and are not opposed to the practice of medicine . They are deeply religious and believe that blood transfusions are forbidden for them by such Biblical passages such as: “Only flesh with its soul – its blood – you must not eat” (Genesis 9:3-4); [You must] pour its blood out
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not participate in nationalistic ceremonies, such as saluting the flag. They also do not celebrate traditional Christian holy days, such as Christmas, or birthdays.