Caring for Jehovah's witnesses

Hi MegRN84,

I am a new student nurse......So I have not dealt with the issues you have mentioned yet. It's good to know we can do our research and have a clean conscience. I did wonder how a JW nurse dealt with this but did not look it up yet. If you would like to correspond with me more you can pm me.

Have a great day

Hi MegRN84 & nurseinmaking, i too am a JW, and im just starting school in 5 days to become an RN, and i too have been wondewring how other JWs nurses deal with the blood issue, as pointed out by MegRn84. You should PM me too, both of u. ~ Chow

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.

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

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.

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.