jehovahs witness- refusing to..

Published

Specializes in Emergency.

Hi everyone. On my last shift I came across an interesting situation.

I had a 67y/o man come in with chest pain who spoke very little English (I can't remember exactly where he was from). Long story short, it was very difficult to obtain consent from him to obtain blood. I completely understand the religion in relation to refusing blood transfusions but I've never came across a Jehovahs witness who didn't want to give blood for a test? He eventually agreed when I explained that I would be only taking a small amount and that it was to help us help his chest pain....

I'm just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

I don't have a definitive answer, but it may have been just a translation misunderstanding. He may not have understood that it was a lab test and not a transfusion. Just my guess.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

I have never had any problem allowing the JW population allowing me to obtain blood. That is new to me. I did once have a young girl with a hct of 9 that flat out refused blood products and would only take fluids.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

Yes, sounds like a translation issue (clearly not a Jehovah Witness issue). Doesn't your ER have access to translators?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

I had a JW patient with an Hgb of 6.1, refused transfusion and kept having syncopal episodes. We couldn't force her to take blood. It's their right to die...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Definitely a translation issue or he was a new JW. My Mom and grandparents are JW's and have been their entire lives (and the only grandchild turned out to be an atheist, bazinga), so I've met a wide range of JW's. The ones that are very new to the religion tend to take the beliefs to the extreme, which could've been one reason why he was refusing to even give blood.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

Additionally, sometimes people confuse Jehovah's Witnesses with other denominations (like "Christian Scientists") who just believe in prayers to heal everything. FYI - if a jehovah's witness comes to the hospital, they are seeking treatment.

of course, JW do not believe in the use of blood for treatment (as it is against Bible principles regarding blood (Acts 15:28-29) but will accept alternative forms of treatment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

Though we do work in the ED and on occasion a person will be unconscious, unresponsive, have massive blood loss and they will get O negative. At the time we had no idea as to what their religious preferences were. It is something that we all have as emergency nurses have to reconcile.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

I really think this was a translation issue. Most JW's I have encountered in the hospital are very adamant and want to tell everyone they do not want a blood transfusion, even when they have arrived for say a sprained ankle.

This points out the need for translators, or using the translation telephone. I think a lot of times we think that people understand us, when they really don't.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

Certain Caribbean cultures consider blood like "life force" and are reluctant to have blood drawn.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion