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Ethical Scenario 3
You are an A&E doctor and your next patient is a 12 year old unconscious girl who has been in a car accident. The girl has lost a considerable amount of blood and requires a minimum of 3 units of blood to stabilise her, without which she will likely pass away. As you prepare to commence the first unit of blood, the girl’s mother approaches you saying that under no circumstances does she want her daughter to have any blood-products.
Explain what actions you would take in this scenario.
Explain what actions you would take in this scenario.
Average Candidate Response
- I would ensure that the girl is given the blood as without this she will die.
- I would not give the blood, as it is important to respect parental wishes.
Excellent Candidate Response
This case represents an increasingly common dilemma amongst Jehova Witness patients. Whilst it is important to take parental views into consideration, management decisions for children under the age of 16 are largely dictated by the child’s best interests. I believe that it would be in the best interest of the child to have the transfusion, and as such I would seek to involve wider MDT (multidisciplinary team) members to understand if they agree similarly. In addition to medical consultants, an independent advocate and legal advisor may also be able to provide useful input.
In the event that there was a dispute which did not require emergency life-saving management, applying for a court order would be appropriate prior to implementing any management.
This case represents an increasingly common dilemma amongst Jehova Witness patients. Whilst it is important to take parental views into consideration, management decisions for children under the age of 16 are largely dictated by the child’s best interests. I believe that it would be in the best interest of the child to have the transfusion, and as such I would seek to involve wider MDT (multidisciplinary team) members to understand if they agree similarly. In addition to medical consultants, an independent advocate and legal advisor may also be able to provide useful input.
In the event that there was a dispute which did not require emergency life-saving management, applying for a court order would be appropriate prior to implementing any management.