Blood Transfusion And Ethical Dilemmas
However, because it is uncommon because of your religion not to accept a whole blood transfusion, there are other types of a blood component that can be used. As a reminder, the blood product that your daughter would receive is not whole blood. There are several different components of the blood that can be transfused; although, the red blood cells is the most common type of transfusion. Since your child needs blood because she might be showing signs such as weakness, shortness of breath, pale, fatigue, dizziness, not being able to concentrate and increase in heart rate the physician will explain the reason and other types of transfusion that can be used. On the other hand, the whole is not what is being transfused. After blood is donated,
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the centrifuge separates the component and an anticoagulant n a small is added to keep the PRBC from clotting, it also refrigerated for 42 days from the time it is donated. Prior to transfusion, the PRBC must be properly matched to the receiver for compatibility, which is double check by the lab and nurses, to avoid the life-threatening reaction.
2. What are the ethical issues raised by the mother refusing blood products for her daughter?
An ethical dilemma is defined as, “the need to choose from among two or more morally acceptable courses of action, when one choice prevents selecting the other; or, the need to choose between equally unacceptable alternatives (Hamric, Spross, and Hanson, 2000).
The ethical issues this mother is facing is that she wants to be as true to her religious belief as possible and to save her child. As Jehovah witness, it is the belief; “God, the Creator of life, views blood as sacred and holy, and therefore it should not be used for the purpose of transfusion, regardless of the consequences (Henderson, Jabbour & Zeger (n.d.)). It must be taken in consideration that her decision to refuse the blood transfusion is based on her religious belief and it does not mean she does not want medical care or concern about her child. If she allows this transfusion, it would separate her child permanently from the family and community. The parent, also, believes that punishment would bestow on them for accepting blood product and eternal life and being on earth would be a loss. How does one decide to follow a belief over losing a loved one? Forcing a parent to give her child blood transfusion because her belief will clearly violate her autonomy. On the other hand, if treatment were not given, the child would be harmed which can result in worsening illness or even death. If transfusion is given, harm would be removed and the illness would be removed. On the other hand, when a child requires emergent treatment is fair that a parent decide base on their religious belief when a child is not or cannot allowed deciding for
them?
4. If the mother continued to refuse to allow her daughter to receive blood products, as a provider, what would you do?
If the mother continues to refused blood transfusion for her daughter, I would offer her another alternative such as using other blood products that is accepted by her religion. Currently Jehovah Witness can accept transfusion such as immune globulins, albumin, erythropoietin, and clotting factors. However, in an emergency case with continuous refusal, child protective services and legal advice is deemed necessary. Contact can also be made to the hospital liaison committee for Jehovah’s Witnesses for advisement. There are several ways that given the life and situation that a minors is facing, the law intervenes, for example in an emergency situation. The law clearly defines rules regarding this matter when there is a need for emergent blood transfusion as it can be given against a parent wishes. The child welfare agencies are given authority to provide administrative consent to have the child receive blood transfusion as per the law. It is also the doctors responsibility to ensure that the parent understand the potential consequences and offer alternatives, if there is a continued refusal, and it must be documented as there must be a record that the conversation took place avoid liability.
the centrifuge separates the component and an anticoagulant n a small is added to keep the PRBC from clotting, it also refrigerated for 42 days from the time it is donated. Prior to transfusion, the PRBC must be properly matched to the receiver for compatibility, which is double check by the lab and nurses, to avoid the life-threatening reaction.
2. What are the ethical issues raised by the mother refusing blood products for her daughter?
An ethical dilemma is defined as, “the need to choose from among two or more morally acceptable courses of action, when one choice prevents selecting the other; or, the need to choose between equally unacceptable alternatives (Hamric, Spross, and Hanson, 2000).
The ethical issues this mother is facing is that she wants to be as true to her religious belief as possible and to save her child. As Jehovah witness, it is the belief; “God, the Creator of life, views blood as sacred and holy, and therefore it should not be used for the purpose of transfusion, regardless of the consequences (Henderson, Jabbour & Zeger (n.d.)). It must be taken in consideration that her decision to refuse the blood transfusion is based on her religious belief and it does not mean she does not want medical care or concern about her child. If she allows this transfusion, it would separate her child permanently from the family and community. The parent, also, believes that punishment would bestow on them for accepting blood product and eternal life and being on earth would be a loss. How does one decide to follow a belief over losing a loved one? Forcing a parent to give her child blood transfusion because her belief will clearly violate her autonomy. On the other hand, if treatment were not given, the child would be harmed which can result in worsening illness or even death. If transfusion is given, harm would be removed and the illness would be removed. On the other hand, when a child requires emergent treatment is fair that a parent decide base on their religious belief when a child is not or cannot allowed deciding for
them?
4. If the mother continued to refuse to allow her daughter to receive blood products, as a provider, what would you do?
If the mother continues to refused blood transfusion for her daughter, I would offer her another alternative such as using other blood products that is accepted by her religion. Currently Jehovah Witness can accept transfusion such as immune globulins, albumin, erythropoietin, and clotting factors. However, in an emergency case with continuous refusal, child protective services and legal advice is deemed necessary. Contact can also be made to the hospital liaison committee for Jehovah’s Witnesses for advisement. There are several ways that given the life and situation that a minors is facing, the law intervenes, for example in an emergency situation. The law clearly defines rules regarding this matter when there is a need for emergent blood transfusion as it can be given against a parent wishes. The child welfare agencies are given authority to provide administrative consent to have the child receive blood transfusion as per the law. It is also the doctors responsibility to ensure that the parent understand the potential consequences and offer alternatives, if there is a continued refusal, and it must be documented as there must be a record that the conversation took place avoid liability.