title: Jehovah's Witnesses and blood transfusion revisited: a review of the benefits and risks.
abstract: Physicians face a special challenge when treating Jehovah's witnesses. As a result of Jehovah's witnesses rigorous pursuit of medical alternatives to blood, many cardiac, obstetric and gynaecological, orthopaedic and urological surgeries that traditionally require blood transfusion can now be performed successfully without using blood or blood products. Despite the obvious advantages of this bloodless surgery, blood transfusion remains are important life saving procedure. Respecting the religious consciences of Jehovah's witnesses may challenge our skills. Though their reason for refusing blood transfusion may seem controversial, physicians should be careful to avoid being held liable in view of the laws that accommodate their belief. This paper attempts to give an overview on this issue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Orji
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sotiloye
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Fawole
authors.forename: K I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Huyinbo
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001802:Blood Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002835:Christianity / Q000523:psychology; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D016365:Liability, Legal; D009549:Nigeria; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010819:Physician's Role; D012307:Risk Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D001802:Blood Substitutes