AM25-MN-16-L - “I Want It That Way” – Ethical Dilemmas in Pediatric Transfusion Medicine

Session Description: This session will address the ethical and legal challenges that arise when parents refuse blood product transfusion for their child based on cultural, religious, or personal beliefs. We will review strategies for respectful and empathetic communication, legal considerations, and when to utilize the hospital ethics committee and/or lawyers to navigate these complex situations. We will explain the logistical challenges and risks associated with directed blood donations, particularly when the request is due to misinformation about healthy blood donors (such as Covid19 vaccination status). We will teach effective communication strategies that audience members can use with families requesting directed donations and ensure that these requests are managed in a manner that aligns with patient values and standard of care. We will also review appropriate transfusion alternatives in pediatric patients, including the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, iron supplementation, and other patient blood management strategies like cell-saver, including their individual indications, benefits, and limitations of these alternatives and how to integrate them into a comprehensive treatment plan that minimizes the need for transfusion while effectively managing the patient’s condition. The session will use patient cases to guide education, and include audience participation via audience-response system.