The Jehovah's Witness family, transfusions, and pediatric day surgery.
The pediatric otolaryngologist and anesthesiologist, when encountering a family of the Jehovah's Witness (JW) faith, should be aware of the potential problems which may arise when deciding to proceed with surgery. Two case reports are presented which illustrate the difficult situations which can occur when unanticipated complications (i.e. profound bleeding) arise perioperatively. An overview of the history and common tenets of the JW faith, previous legal perspectives, pertinent clinical information from the medical literature, and the protocol of The Children's Hospital, Denver, for dealing with this sensitive issue (drafted with the cooperation of the local JW Hospital Liaison Committee) are presented.
Morrison
J E
JE
Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital, University of Colorado Health Science, Denver 80218, USA. morrison@essex.uchsc.edu
Lane
G
G
Kelly
S
S
Stool
S
S
D000233:Adenoidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002835:Christianity; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006296:Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D007603:Jurisprudence; D008297:Male; D009225:Myringoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*