A 55-year-old man on ICU has a Jehovah's Witness advance refusal of blood transfusion. His Hb is 45 g/L and he is haemodynamically unstable from GI bl...

Question

A 55-year-old man on ICU has a Jehovah's Witness advance refusal of blood transfusion. His Hb is 45 g/L and he is haemodynamically unstable from GI bleeding. He has capacity. What is the correct response?

Accepted Answer

Respect his autonomous, capacitous refusal - optimise non-blood alternatives (IV iron, erythropoietin, cell salvage if acceptable, tranexamic acid, minimise sampling) and provide the best possible care within his chosen limits

Answer

Transfuse against his wishes

Answer

Obtain a court order

Answer

Wait until unconscious then transfuse

Answer

Discharge from ICU

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Blood Refusal

A 55-year-old man on ICU has a Jehovah's Witness advance refusal of blood transfusion. His Hb is 45 g/L and he is haemodynamically unstable from GI bleeding. He has capacity. What is the correct response?