Caring for Jehovah's witnesses

Nurses Safety

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I am pursuing my BSN. As part of my current class I am researching the difficulties of caring for patients with the Jehovah's witness' beliefs. If anyone has an experience that he/she can share with me about your personal feelings in caring for a Jehovah's witness, I would greatly appreciate it. I am new to the discussion board and look forward to hearing from you.

Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

I know this is kind of a late post to this thread, but had several patients over the years who were JW. I think it's important to do a little research to understand their beliefs about transfusions of blood products. Also, research alternatives to blood transfusions. There are a number of alternatives. In time of blood scarcity these alternatives have to be initiated for other patients as well. Had an issue one time where the blood bank couldn't find any matching blood in their blood bank for a patient with a very odd antigen and they were out of plasma. By knowing as much as you can about these topics you will be in a better position to educate staff as well as have intelligent conversation with JW patients.

I worked in a Jewish facility that was kosher. Had to do some study on the kosher food laws and be very careful about what we used to help our older people get their pills down. Couldn't use pudding made with milk if the facility was serving a "meat" meal.

The question seems odd to me...initially, it almost sounds like Jehovah's Witnesses are alien beings or something...(I know you didn't mean it that way). One of my best friend's father is a JW minister (is that what they are called?)...anyway, I've taken care of him in the hospital more than once and have never noticed any difference in his care...no, he won't accept blood or blood products, but everyone is made aware and he has signed documentation indicating his wishes...it is just one of the things we have to remember when when we are caring for him. I hope that it never happens, but if he were in a situation where he either took blood products or died, we would just have to call his family and provide whatever comfort care we could until it happened...he firmly believes thet it is better to die without administration of a blood product than to live with it. His choice...his conscience...his salvation.

Just like with any other patient, you do your best to find out what their beliefs are and you respect them...you don't have to agree or disagree, but you do have to repect their wishes and not try to inflict what you believe to be best on your patient.

Specializes in ER.

The problem is when a JW child needs blood or a blood product in order to survive. The doc has the right to order blood against the parents will but the situations can be really complicated and heartbreaking. How do you tackle this?

The problem is when a JW child needs blood or a blood product in order to survive. The doc has the right to order blood against the parents will but the situations can be really complicated and heartbreaking. How do you tackle this?

Hopefully with compassion and a nonjudgemental attitude. Too many times we do not respect a person's religious beliefs, especially when we view them as being an unnecessary risk to someone's well being.

Grannynurse:balloons:

There is no easy answer...my friend's father firmly believes that if he receives blood products, his salvation will be in jeopardy...how could you force him or his child to take blood? Just doesn't seem right to me...he has told me more than once that it is better to die without receiving blood than it is to live with receiving it...this applies to him and his family.

Our hospital has included a question in our admission assessment to find out if the patient objects to blood transfusions. I work in L&D so this is a very real possibility for every admission, although rarely given in reality. If the patient objects, we have specific paperwork we go to in order to flag the chart and education the patient. There is a form to sign agreeing to some blood part, or none at all. They get to check what is acceptable. It is very clear to the patient that we are acknowledging their beliefs, and very clear to the staff what is accepted by the patient. The patient even gets a wristband to flag the fact that the patient has a specific request in regards to blood products.

The above info is very helpful to us all. Thanks. I would add that you should be aware of how ANY religious belief transfers to minors in your state. What would you do if a child needed a blood transfusion but parents refused? This is not specific to JW but your question made me think of it as I have encountered this while a pedi nurse. Know what your state requires RN's to do.

Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

In the neonatal population we do run across this sometimes, and it is hard. We do everything we can not to use blood products with these kids, but sometimes to save the baby we have too. Sometimes the parents will consent, but sometimes we have to obtain a court order. In a 24 weeker, you can not usually get away with never ever giving blood, and if two attendings agree that it is absolutely necessary they speak to the parents, then if they have to they do inform them that they have to obtain a court order because if the baby doesn't get blood it will die. The emotional aspect for these parents is high. We start these kids on Epogen as soon as we can to try to lessen the risk of needing a blood transfusion.

It has been my experience with Jehovah Witnesses that they are firm in their belief not to take blood. Many cannot quote the biblical scripture for you but nevertheless they will not take blood.

I have only seen one patient in 41 years of nursing that accepted blood. He was told that he would die without the blood. He then stated that it was his wife's religion.

I took care of a mother of two teenage boys who presented with a Mallory-Weise tear. Her hemoglobin dropped to 3 and she would not take blood.

she did survive but I do not know how long it took her to recover.

I don't understand their belief but I do respect it.

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

As a Jehovah's Witness as well as a RN, I am sure I could be of help to you in

your research.

First of all, you may not be aware that JW's have the conscience choice to take blood fractions. They also may consent to hemodilution. I have many different articles published by the Soceity of Jehovah's Witnesses on why Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept blood and what they will and won't accept.

The Society has also an information website that you can obtain information on our stand and medical videos that explain alternatives to blood transfusions, interviews from non-Jehovah's Witness medical professionals and examples of their cases who have accepted medical alternatives.

www.watchtower.org

You can get in contact with the Society through the number they have provided for medical professionals on their website which is:

Hospital Information Services at 718-560-4300.

They will supply you with any information over the phone or by mail that you may need.

example: Videos, brochures, etc..

It is not my intention to push our belief system on you, but only to provide an accurate understanding of Jehovah's Witnesses non-blood stand.

I hope this provides you with everything you need.

If you would like to discuss this issue with me further or get my feedback I will check the message board.

I am so late in responding to this but wanted to say hi and what a wonderful post this is, also hi to the other JW nurses on here, I was thrilled to see a few of you, I am doing my last semester of pre reqs for the nursing program and I have not yet met any other Jw nurses. Would love here some of your experiences.

we use the video from the Watchtower website to educate nurses on cultural diversity issues and alternates to blood transfusions.

One issue is that parents may oppose a blood transfusion for a child who needs it and that can have ethical as well as legal complications. You need to know what your state law says in this regard.

Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.
In the neonatal population we do run across this sometimes, and it is hard. We do everything we can not to use blood products with these kids, but sometimes to save the baby we have too. Sometimes the parents will consent, but sometimes we have to obtain a court order. In a 24 weeker, you can not usually get away with never ever giving blood, and if two attendings agree that it is absolutely necessary they speak to the parents, then if they have to they do inform them that they have to obtain a court order because if the baby doesn't get blood it will die. The emotional aspect for these parents is high. We start these kids on Epogen as soon as we can to try to lessen the risk of needing a blood transfusion.

Excuse me, a 24-weeker? Shouldn't it be the parents choice if they want any life-sustaining measures at all provided to a preemie that small?

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