News Video: Jehovah's Witnesses and Blood Transfusions

Jan. 20, 2010 - PRLog -- Jehovah's  Witnesses have taken a position against blood transfusions, which they believe is supported by the Bible. While the position of Witnesses and blood transfusions is largely one that is based on religious convictions, the medical community also has become involved in this issue.

Bloodless medicine has become a field in itself. There are approximately 140 bloodless centers in the United States, where surgery of all types are performed on Jehovah's Witnesses and others, who desire optimum care without blood transfusions. There are several news reports which help provide some insight into the controversy and the medical solution to this controversy.

This is one that is of interest on "Bloodless Surgery" and that features Englewood Hospital, one of the leaders of bloodless surgery in the United States.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcWD_q8cae0&feature=related



Part of the transcript for this report can be read here:

"Today, bloodless surgery is the norm at Englewood Hospital and When it comes to bloodless medicine, Englewood Hospital is considered a world leader. For years, its bloodless approach has been used for everything from gastric procedures to cardiac bypass surgery promotes healing, reduces infection and saves lives. "The results that we have which is the lowest morbidity and mortality in cardiac surgery in the state, is associated again, with the lowest transfusion rates that have been published so far...," Dr. Arye Shander, executive medical director.

The lowest transfusion rates....nationally and internationally. 15,000 procedures a year, fully 95% bloodless. The blood is collected and recycled. Cell saver, it is cleaned and returned to the patient's body. "Medical literature shows that about 60% of the time, patients receive blood for no good reason...." Transfused blood can lead to..."Increased risk of death, increased heart attacks, strokes, increased ICU stay. " Sherri Ozawa, RN, director of bloodless medicine program, Englewood. It "doesn't really matter if it is your own blood or someone elses, once it comes back out of that fridge...it does not pick up oxygen very well, it does not drop off oxygen very well."

More information on Jehovah's Witnesses health can be seen on these pages:

Jehovah's Witnesses and Health
http://jehovahs-witnesses-headlines.net/Health.aspx
(not official site of Jehovah's Witnesses)

Jehovah's Witnesses and Medical Care
http://www.jw-media.org/aboutjw/medical.htm
(official site of Jehovah's Witnesses)

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photo: National Cancer Institute