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Another UW

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titly
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10/23/07 - 09:32 AM

An unconcious man is brought to the emergency dept after sustaining a gun shot injury. he is bleeding profusely and is hemodynamically unstable. supportive measures like vasopressors are started. the attending physician orders a bld transfusion immediately. at that time the patients wife arrives and pleads not to do the transfusion since the pt is a Jehovahs witness. wat do u do?

A-proceed with the transfusion

B-respect the patients religious beliefs and dont do transfusion.

C-start other supportive measures.

D-tell the wife not to interfere

E-obtain a court order for the transfusion.

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Doc750
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10/23/07 - 09:45 AM

A

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ing
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10/23/07 - 10:13 AM

A

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nany
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10/23/07 - 02:10 PM

A

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Ivonne
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10/23/07 - 04:02 PM

A

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hope4dabest
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10/23/07 - 08:02 PM

C???

DrVirgo
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10/23/07 - 10:46 PM

A-proceed with the transfusion
he is hemodynamically unstable
needs a bld transfusion immediately
NO TIME to asses his religious beliefs.
However if his wife shows up with a card stating his wishes you must go with that.

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hope4dabest
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10/24/07 - 12:28 AM

But then doesnt wife potrays the dying husband wishes......???? is written proof necessary????

DrVirgo
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10/24/07 - 08:23 AM

Good point, but what they are trying to say is that this is an EMERGENCY situation in a normally healthy man. At times like this there is no time to think or reflect if the wife is correctly representing the patient's wishes or what his religion is.

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titly
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10/24/07 - 09:37 AM

#10

yeah guys i thot at first dat its only in the case of children dat the doctor shud nt withold lifesaving or limbsaving procedures and dat in adults u r supposed to listen to the patients wishes.

but UW says dat in case of adults, if its an emergency, lik the above situation , u r supposed to act in the patients best interest.

if the patient was concious and was telng u to not transfuse, thn u shd listen to him.

here i wud like to ask, isnt the patients wife considered a surrogate for taking a decision? raised eyebrow

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DrVirgo
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10/24/07 - 10:08 AM

#11

titly wrote:

here i wud like to ask, isnt the patients wife considered a surrogate for taking a decision?

Yes, if he was on a respirator or tube feeds -in a coma, etc... Then you could figure out if the wife is the best person to represent his wishes.
But NOT in an emergency situation.

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