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| No. 100 | 
Feb 23, 2008, 10:31 AM
 Re: dealing with blood transfusions as a Jehovah's Witness Originally Posted by LiverpoolJane  He wasn't a vegetarian (Ch 10:3) so the only reason he would refuse to eat the food (and risk offending a tyrant king) was because it was polluted in some way.
If one was to look at the Bible as a prophetic book, one could make some arguments in that favor. What kind of food pollution may have Daniel have seen..Fat pollution? as in Cholesterol? Maybe he had problems with Pork pollution ..as in Trichina worms, from uncooked pork. Modern science is now, advising to reduce intake of red meats. I think Daniel might have said that was a step in the right direction. The picture depicted in the Bible, where the Lion and the Lamb existing side by side, to me points to a future where, all predators will become vegetarians. I think its ironic that some non christian organizations are promoting vegeterianism more than many Christians.. My guess, that it was polluted by a lifestyle of the Royalties way of eating. In America...some americans still eat meat like Royalty. The outcome from eating Daniles diet was better health.. I think that the message that was being taught.
 | | Advertisement Sponsored Links | | | | No. 101 |
Mar 05, 2008, 02:18 PM
Re: Caring for Jehovah's witnesses
I know a JW and they don't receive any blood products, but it's the first time I've ever heard of them getting any form of blood. What is Autotransfusion?
| | No. 102 |
Dec 12, 2008, 10:46 AM
Re: Caring for Jehovah's witnesses
really???StacieRN..why be upset with were our taxes go??I don't recall a box next to my paycheck asking where I would like my taxes to go to but if it benefits a patient who cares how long it takes to get better...I prefer it over many other things.
| | No. 103 |
Dec 12, 2008, 10:55 AM
Re: Caring for Jehovah's witnesses
autotransfusion is when you have your own blood put in reserve for an upcoming surgery, then IF you need blood, you get your own.
| | No. 104 |
Dec 15, 2008, 03:42 PM
Re: Caring for Jehovah's witnesses Originally Posted by lorilou22RN <TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">This is probably gonna get some heated comments, but here goes. I have taken care of numerous JW, and it truly represents a challenge for health care workers. The Jehovahs, I have cared for tho, truly need PRBC's, not albumin, hespan, etc. Typically they have been GIB's, This last lady, nearly died H & H 5 and 17 BP's low, truly attempting to continue to perfuse her brain and her kidneys, of course she developed ATN and had to be treated for this as well. She ended up with a colectomy 2/2 her GIB, trached, you know the works. Her family steadfastly refused blood, and while I respect that right, It puts those of us who are not JW's and are nurses/doctors in a horrible position. You are constantly chasing your tail, and making little headway. I think she ended up in a acute-care vent facility. The other guy did die, He actually had a CV surgeon perform a MVR, and triple vessel cabg. He just bled out, during the code, the CCP drew the code blood femorally, and it was like water. No RBC's, just plasma. This is going to sound a bit prejudiced, but it is not meant that way at all. I really think that JW's should be treated by JW's, docs, nurses, etc. There should be a facility that treats only witnesses. That way it would be completely understood, and you all could still get the care you may need, the way you want it. If you can refuse to hang blood, based on your beliefs, shouldn't those of us who aren't JW's reserve the right to not be put into the position of caring for someone who wants care, and wants to be a full code, yet we can't do the one thing that could help save you? Ethically, it can really back us in a corner of wanting to do the right thing (medically), yet unable to because of religious beliefs.
Please if anyone has an answer or input please divulge. And for those that are JW's, truly no offense, this is just my dillemma, and my 
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I completely understand what you're saying, and I don't know if this will help at all, but as a JW myself, I can say that I would be extremely grateful to a medical professional such as yourself who did all they could to treat me without blood, even to the point of death. Without getting into a religious discussion, I will just tell you that I am confident in the benefits of obeying God's commands, and I have a bright hope for the future regardless of what happens to me right now. On the other hand, if someone were to go against my wishes and give me the transfusion, I would be plagued (sp?) by feelings of guilt and disgust. For someone who doesn't share our beliefs, I can understand the frustration you must go through with some patients, but it means a great deal to us when you do all you can to respect our beliefs, even if it means letting us die for them.
| | No. 105 |
Dec 23, 2008, 10:53 PM
Re: Caring for Jehovah's witnesses
That is why there is a patients bill of rights and we are to listen to our patients and respect their wishes (in these cases), even though we may not agree but it is not about what we think - it is about them.
| | No. 106 |
Dec 24, 2008, 01:46 AM
Re: Caring for Jehovah's witnesses
Not quite the same but important non the less, as a patient's beliefs were respected.......I had a Jewish patient who was very strict....(some I was told are not). Knowing Jews do not eat pork I felt it was my duty to informed him that the heparin was pork derived. He was so thankful I let him know.
| | No. 107 |
Dec 24, 2008, 02:44 AM
Re: Caring for Jehovah's witnesses Re: Caring for Jehovah's witnesses
Hey, heard there are laws or principles about Nurses' rights to refuse to give treatments against their spiritual beliefs. Has anyone encountered these? Please share.
I realize it has been quite some time since this post was started, but here goes...
When I interviewed for my first nursing position in the hospital I currently work for, my nurse manager showed me a list of all duties and expectations for RN's an asked if I had a problem with performing any of them. One of them was blood transfusions. I explained my personal feeling as one of JW's, but let her know I was willing to do all other aspects of caring for the patients except hanging the blood itself. I do not expect anyone to do my job for me, but there is workload of others that I can pick up in exchange for the 2 seconds it takes to hang a bag of blood. I do not work in an area where blood is often given (maybe 4 times in the past 7 years). I do not feel it would be fair to impose my beliefs on others or work in an area of nursing that would frequently administer blood products and expect others to do my job for me (would be kind of like being pro-life and working in an abortion clinic). However; there is a form that should be filled out IN ADVANCE OF ACCEPTING A JOB POISITION if there are certain things you feel you can not do for moral, ethical, or religious reasons, and it would be up to your supervisor to excuse you or not (and put that written note in your permanent file). RN's are usually required to attend training class on administering blood products, and be "signed off" as competent before being able to actually perform a transfusion. If your supervisor has excused you in advance, and you are not signed off, then you can't legally be expected to administer blood when the situation arises.
| | No. 109 |
May 26, 2009, 10:37 PM
Re: Caring for Jehovah's witnesses
I am a JW and a nursing student. I also personally faced the issue of blood in my high risk twin pregnancy and delivery. There are blood-less medicine hospitals (such as Englewood in NJ), but not in every area of the country. They are not run by JW's, but many JW's do work there. There are many people other than JW's choose bloodless medical treatment as well. All of this comes down to education on both sides, the patients and the practitioners. JW's do not take PRC, Plasma or Platelets, however the fractions are up to the patient's individual conscience. JW's are regularly informed about how to properly identify themselves and to work with their doctors in advance. This is to allow the physicians and hospital to be able to agree to the requested treatments or not. There is a liason committee to work with the local physicians and hospitals. Unfortunately as RN's you are left with the decisions of the physician and hospitals. It is sometimes difficult to go with a patient's wishes if you are trained in a different way and JW's are aware of that too. THey want to live and will accept other medical treatment, procedures and medications. Many methods have been improved to provide bloodless medicine treatments successfully. They are aware of the risks of their decisions and do appreciate your diligent efforts in their behalf while respecting their wishes.
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Re: Caring for Jehovah's witnesses
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