HLC Guidelines

Issues of privacy seem to be involved here. Contacts with some legal experience seem to think so.

Section 3 "Emergency Protocol involving Jehovah's Witnesses"

1.  Check wallet/purse for MEDICAL DIRECTIVE* (carried by most Witnesses). This identifies whom to contact in case of emergency, usually a family member or a congregation elder. It also lists any allergies, current medication, or medical problems. IT CLEARLY STATES THE PATIENT'S VIEW ON THE NON-USE OF BLOOD TRANSFUSION.

2.  Make appropriate notation of the above on patient's hospital records, etc.

3.  If patient is conscious and able to write, arrange for him to enter his wishes concerning blood on the Hospital Admission form, etc. If time permits, a family member, congregation elder, or Hospital Liaison Committee member can bring a REFUSAL TO PERMIT BLOOD TRANSFUSION form to the Hospital for patient and doctor/surgeon to sign.

4.  Endeavour to contact persons named on MEDICAL DIRECTIVE.* If unable to do so, contact Hospital Liaison Committee.

5.  If patient is conscious but does NOT have a MEDICAL DIRECTIVE,* but you have reason to believe he is a Witness, contact a family member, congregation elder, or Hospital Liaison Committee member.

6.  If patient is unconscious and does NOT have a MEDICAL DIRECTIVE,* but you have reason to believe he is a Witness, contact the Hospital Liaison Committee.

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* Sample of the MEDICAL DIRECTIVE is included in this folder.

As I mentioned before:  instructs all hospital doctors and nurses to check each casualty's wallet/purse for a Blood Card in case the patient is a JW. Yeah, right! It also states: "6. If patient is unconscious and does NOT have a MEDICAL DIRECTIVE, but you have reason to believe he is a Witness, contact the Hospital Liaison Commmittee." One wonders how hospital staff in emergency departments would have "reason to believe he (the unconscious patient) is a Witness.

There are five different cards being used in Australia this year. (See below)

Other sections:

ACCEPTABLE/UNACCEPTABLE TREATMENT; CONSCIENCE MATTERS

I.V. FLUIDS ACCEPTABLE TO JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES' RELIGIOUS POSITION ON MEDICAL THERAPY

JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES Religious and Ethical Position on Medical Therapy, child care and Related Matters

STRATEGIES

Various magazine articles, both medical and Watchtower published.

Copies of forms used by Jehovah's Witnesses in Australia including MEDICAL DIRECTIVE forms:

Form md-E  - for Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia

Form md-E (Q)  - for Queensland

Form md-E (V)  - for Victoria

Form md-E (N)  - for New South Wales

Form md-E (N/Q) - for Northern New South Wales

What differences are there between each card?

Form md-E is the regular one that we have traditionally been used to.

Form md-E (Q) carries a declaration by the bearer that is witnessed by a "Qualified witness" as well as a separate statement by the bearer's doctor. The two emergency contacts "Holds my enduring power  of attorney for personal/health matters as appointed in Form 4-Advance Health Directive which I have completed persuant to the Powers of Attorney Act 1998 (Qld)."

Form md-E (V) is the same as form md-E except that it requires the emergency contact person to be a person who "Holds Enduring Power of Attorney (Medical Treatment)"

Form md-E (N) is the same as form md-E except that it requires the emergency contact person to be a person who is "Appointed as my enduring guardian under the Guardianship Act 1987 (NSW)"

Form md-E (N/Q) is similar to the Queensland form except that the emergency contact is appointed as the enduring guardian under the Guardianship Act 1987 (NSW).

All forms carry the date of June 2001.