leadership assignment 5
Read the Case Law – Werthvs. Taylor
Then, answer the questions below.
Did this case turn out the way you thought it would? Why or why not?
How could Cindy have assured herself that she would not receive any blood no matter what happened?
Would it have made any difference in the outcome of the case if the anesthesiologist had interviewed Cindy before the procedure and told her that her life could be in danger if she refused blood during both procedures?
What kind of consent is it when there is an emergency situation and the physician/healthcare worker needs to act or the patient may lose their life?
Your paper should be:
One (1) page
Typed according to APA style for margins, formatting and spacing standards
NUR4827 Chapter 5 Page 1 of 1
Case Law
Werth vs. Taylor
475 N.W.2d 426, 427 (Mich. Ct. App. 1991)
Cindy Werth was expecting twins. Because she was a Jehovahs Witness and had
a firm belief in the religions teaching that it is a sin to receive blood transfusions, Cindy
signed a Refusal to Permit Blood Transfusions form as part of her hospital
preregistration.
After delivery, Cindy had complications and was experiencing uterine bleeding.
She was advised to undergo a dilatation and curettage and agreed. Again, she discussed
her refusal to allow a blood transfusion with her obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/Gyn). After
being placed under anesthesia and despite the specialists efforts during surgery, Cindy
continued to bleed and was experiencing, among other things, premature ventricular
activity and a significant decrease in blood pressure. The anesthesiologist (Dr. Michael
Taylor) determined that Cindy needed a blood transfusion to sustain her life. Cindys
OB/Gyn expressed Cindys refusal of blood transfusions, but the anesthesiologist
proceeded anyway stating that it was medically necessary.
The Werths filed a malpractice suit, alleging that Dr. Taylor committed battery by
performing the transfusion without Cindys consent. Dr. Taylor moved for a summary
disposition because Cindys refusal was not conscious, competent, contemporaneous
and fully informed.
The trial court found that Cindys refusals of a transfusion were made when she
contemplated merely routine elective surgery and not life-threatening circumstances,
and that, it could not be said that she made the decision to refuse a blood transfusion
while in a competent state and while fully aware that death would result from such refusal.
The record apparently reflected the unexpected development of a medical emergency
requiring blood transfusion to prevent death or serious compromise of the patients well-
being. The trial court therefore granted summary disposition in favor of Dr. Taylor.
