Policies of Hospitals in Dealing with Refusal of Blood Products
Although mankind is beset with many more diseases today, advances in the medical field allow us to treat these diseases and save lives. But, there are some religions and cultures that prohibit the use of certain forms of technology in treatment. The most well-known example of this is people who belong to the Jehovah’s Witness religion refusing to accept any treatment that has anything to do with the transfusion of blood and blood related products.
It’s a religious belief that they adhere to strictly, believing that the Bible forbids this form of treatment and that it is better to die rather than disobey what the Bible teaches. But, when such patients are admitted for treatment, hospitals face a moral and ethical dilemma – they have sworn to protect patients and save lives, and when they are asked not to provide what is routine treatment in other cases, they don’t know how to proceed.
Most hospitals have procedures in place where they lay down guidelines to deal with patients who belong to the Jehovah’s Witness sect or any other religious group that refuses any form of medical treatment. They usually agree to their wishes and obtain a written statement from them in this regard. But if the patient is unconscious or a minor, the rules are a little different. In case of a patient who is not in a position to take a decision on their own, hospitals sometimes try to contact relatives, and if they’re not successful, the doctor is allowed to take a decision after a second opinion.
When it concerns children who are minors, parents who belong to Jehovah’s Witness are adamant that they too follow their religion’s rules and do not receive blood transfusions. But hospitals sometimes allow their doctors to overrule the adults in case it means the child’s life is in danger.
Refusal of blood and blood-related products by patients causes hospitals much trouble because it involves so much more work for them in trying to save the patient. They have to divert from routine procedures and try and adopt new and often unsuccessful methods to save lives. And when patients are uncooperative and resist you at every turn, it makes the whole process seem worthless.
Most hospitals have forms that need to be filled out to deal with such cases, because they expect such disruptions when religious and cultural beliefs prevent people from accepting medical care, even procedures that the rest of the world considers normal and routine.