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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002; 50(6): 380-383
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-35739
Special Report
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Jehovah's Witnesses - How to Encounter the Transfusion Issue

C.  Schmid1 , S.  Krempel2 , H.  H.  Scheld1
  • 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Westfalische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
  • 2Lawyer, Saarbrücken
Further Information

Publication History

Received August 18, 2002

Publication Date:
28 November 2002 (online)

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Abstract

Surgical management is different for Jehovah's Witnesses than in customary operations. Preoperative measures primarily aim at an optimal hematological condition, whereas intraoperative activities are directed towards minimizing blood loss. However, physicians taking care of Jehovah's Witnesses are not only faced with the difficulties of adequate treatment, but also by psychological and legal issues. Since the German legal system does not offer clear-cut legislation with regard to the Jehovah's Witnesses transfusion issue, guidelines have been offered on how to encounter his issue.

Key words

Open heart surgery - Jehovah's Witness - blood transfusion - legislation

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Prof. Dr. med. Christof Schmid

Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital

Albert-Schweitzer-Straße 33

48149 Münster

Germany

Phone: + 49-251-8357412

Fax: + 49-251-8348316

Email: schmid@uni-muenster.de