The Ethical issues in Paediatric Wards

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Smith, a 5 years old boy, experienced a decrease in oxygen saturation and abdominal distension. Abdominal radiograph indicated free air in abdomen. When obtaining the consent for surgery, the parents refuse the use of blood or blood products, because both of them were Jehovah’s Witness. However, it is impossible for the baby to survive without blood transfusion during the surgery (Meadow et al., 2010). There are no absolute rights or wrongs to this case, which is based on a synthesis of other actual clinical scenarios. The aim of this essay is to explore the dilemmas between the ethical issues, the law and the wishes of the family and the effect of it.

Ethics is a branch of philosophy concerned with the study of rational processes for decision-making. Culturally effective pediatric health care can be defined as the delivery of care within the context of appropriate physician knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of all cultural distinctions leading to optimal health outcomes. However, when the parents’ decision is not the best interest for the child, the paediatric nurse should advocate for him in order to protect his rights to receive treatment according to the Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia (ANMC 2006). The first step for the nurse in resolving the ethical dilemma is to provide information to the parents honestly about the child’s diagnosis, treatments, outcomes and risks. This enable the parents to make free and informed decision (ANMC 2006; Janine & William 2010). During the discussion between the health practitioners and the parents, fully explained situation may help the family realize that the decision may not the best choice for the kid. Practitioners should strive to remain truly objective and avoid all pers...

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...h Necrotizing Enterocolitis Whose Parents Are Jehovah's Witnesses', Pediatrics, vol. 126, no. 1, pp. 151-155.

Office of the Public Advocate 2010, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Blood Transfusions, Office of the Public Advocate, Australia, Melbourne.

Schmitt, S., Mailaender, V., Egerer, G., Leo, A., Becker, S., Reinhardt, P., Wiesneth, M., Schrezenmeier, H., Ho, A.D., Goldschmidt, H. & Moehler, T.M. 2008, "Successful autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in a Jehovah's Witness with multiple myeloma: review of literature and recommendations for high-dose chemotherapy without support of allogeneic blood products", International journal of hematology, vol. 87, no. 3, pp. 289-97.

Tabak, N & Zvi, MR 2008, 'When parents refuse a sick teenager the right to give informed consent: the nurse's role' 2008, Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 25, 3, pp. 106-111.

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