Instructions: Working in the health industry, one will be faced with certain ethical dilemmas, some of which could directly impact whether a patient lives or dies. Below is a fictitious ethical dilemma that someone working in the hospital might face. Read the case study (you may use articles provided for background information) then answer the questions that follow the study. While answering the questions, write a well-developed argument justifying your response.

You are the chief executive officer (CEO) of a hospital. The physicians are faced with an ethical dilemma and are unsure how to proceed. There is a twelve year old girl that has been diagnosed with an operable brain tumor. Her prognosis is positive, provided she has the operation. The girl has stated that she wants to have the life preserving operation. However, her parents are devout Jehovah Witnesses and have vowed to refuse to allow the child to have the operation due to the need for blood transfusion. There is a part of their religious doctrine that states that blood must not be transfused. The medical team is baffled and has sought your guidance on how they should proceed. Below are some questions you could consider as you develop your response.

• In your opinion, should religious doctrine trump sound medical advice?
• Is the girl old enough to make the decision for herself?
• Should the intervention of the Division of Social Services or the court system be solicited?
• In your opinion, in your role as the CEO what are the pros and cons of both sides of the argument?
• What role does ethics play in governing the decision making?

Below are some articles that may provide some background information. However, you do NOT have to limit yourself to only these articles.

Articles: https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/325240003/parents-under-fire-failing- allow-lifesaving-blood-transfusion-terminally-ill-son?size=10&page=1 (Links para um site externo)Links para um site externo

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3934270/ (Links para um site externo)Links para um site externo

http://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/2003/08/ccas1-0308.html (Links para um site externo)Links para um site externo

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/06/jehovah_s_witness_blood_transfusions_how_a_doctor_works_around_doctrine.html (Links para um site externo)Links para um site externo

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2015/05/jehovahs-witness-parents-refuse-life-saving-treatment-for-son/ (Links para um site externo)Links para um site externo