Jehova's Witnesses can now have blood - their own (elders, amish)

[michel]

I just heard on the local radio that a hospital, not far from hre, has acquired a 'blood washing' machine.

Perhaps the prime reason for it is the lack of sufficient blood donors locally; when you have an operation, the machine collects all the blood you loose, 'cleans' it, and pumps it back into your system.

One of the side benefits is that Jehova's Witnesses will be able to undergo surgery. Yhe real bonus to this means that Jehova's witnesses' children will now be able to be treated in hospital - up to now, there has been a great controversy as to the Court's rights in overiding the parent's wishes not to have their children treated.

[Druidus]

I think that is a dialisys machine. An artificial kidney, not a method of giving blood.

But if not, cool!

[jeffrey]

Originally Posted by michel

I just heard on the local radio that a hospital, not far from hre, has acquired a 'blood washing' machine.

Perhaps the prime reason for it is the lack of sufficient blood donors locally; when you have an operation, the machine collects all the blood you loose, 'cleans' it, and pumps it back into your system.

One of the side benefits is that Jehova's Witnesses will be able to undergo surgery. Yhe real bonus to this means that Jehova's witnesses' children will now be able to be treated in hospital - up to now, there has been a great controversy as to the Court's rights in overiding the parent's wishes not to have their children treated.

My wife got into a discussion about just that with some Jehova's Witnesses a few years back. Will have to ask her again about the details.

[Druidus]

Just reread your post. So, it collects all of your blood, when you lose it during surgery? How does that work?

[michel]

Originally Posted by Druidus

Just reread your post. So, it collects all of your blood, when you lose it during surgery? How does that work?

I'm not sure; I heard it on the local radio, and I have looked on the internet, but I can find nothing so far; I'll have another look...

[michel]

I obviously look too well the first time!


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[EnhancedSpirit]

I know this is a little off topic, but I also saw a story about the Amish suffering rare birth disorders, so they allowed a clinic to be built in their community. Some who have children who need special machines to keep them alive have been allowed to install solar panels to provide electricity for these machines. And for the first time, elders allowed themselves to be interviewed on TV to discuss their situation.

[ThisShouldMakeSense]

Hi,

Just to let you know, I think the machine you are referring to is called a cell saver machine. And also to clarify, JW’s do let their kids and themselves have operations in hospitals. I've had an operation using that machine as backup.

We have a committee set up that visits hospitals, called the Hospital Liaison Committee or HLC, explaining to doctors what our beliefs are and how to deal with us. They are also doing a lot of good work and research, showing to some of the best surgeons in the world what the benefits are of having bloodless surgery. There is a video on the subject available from us, giving interviews and case studies. So the next time you see us, ask for one if you like. You might find it interesting. or go to this link...
http://www.watchtower.org/medical_care_and_blood.htm

[Seyorni]

There are several filtering systems which allow reinfusion of blood/fluid from wound and surgical drains, but they're most commonly used where donated blood products are readily available. Our hospital tried one eight or nine years ago but the benefits were not worth the cost, infection risk and staff time.

Auto-transfusion -- where a patient donates one or more units of his own blood, for re-infusion, in anticipation of a non-emergent surgery, is quite common, though. I see no reason why Jehovah's witnesses cannot do this, as no foreign material is being used.

There are also trials of several types of synthetic blood substitutes currently underway.