The role of the emergency physician in the management of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Patients presenting to the emergency department who refuse recommended treatment present substantial management and medicolegal problems for the emergency physician. Members of the Jehovah's Witness religion, who number approximately 700,000 in the United States, create specific medical, ethical, and legal challenges when they require but refuse necessary blood component therapy. Appropriate management involves timely medical intervention, an awareness of the religious rights and beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses and a sound understanding of the ramifications of their emergency care. A protocol is presented for responding to opposition to transfusions by Jehovah's Witnesses. The protocol should increase the likelihood of an effective medical and ethical response by emergency physicians and should help to protect against potential legal actions.