title: Adults who refuse blood transfusion in emergency, urgent and elective circumstances.
abstract: Surgeons dealing with an adult refusing a blood transfusion find themselves in an unenviable position, torn between wishing to preserve the patient's life while also respecting his or her wishes. This article looks at the legal framework for such circumstances as set out in the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wheeler
mesh_terms: D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D033221:Jehovah's Witnesses; D008875:Middle Aged; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006113:United Kingdom