In 2018, a patient was subjected to a blood transfusion, believing it was the only way to save her life, even though the woman, a Jehovah's Witness, had submitted a written document when she was admitted to hospital in serious condition, in which, pursuant to the 2017 law on living wills, she refused to undergo this treatment .

The patient, of Filipino origin, recovered but later reported two doctors at the Cardarelli Hospital in Naples for personal injury . The preliminary hearing judge, Armonia De Rosa, of the Naples court, granted the defense's request and acquitted the two doctors because the crime was not proven . Prosecutor Ciro Capasso had also requested an acquittal.

The patient had arrived at the Cardarelli emergency room in serious condition, and upon admission, she had presented her advance treatment directives (DATs), in which she clearly stated, as required by law, her refusal of transfusions due to her religious beliefs . The doctors took note of this, but as the hours passed, the need for treatment became increasingly apparent. The woman, suffering from a serious gynecological condition, was informed of the worsening of her clinical condition, but reiterated her refusal . Faced with the urgent need for surgery, the doctors again urged the woman to undergo a transfusion. A new verbal refusal followed, but when the hospital asked the patient to sign a document to this effect, she refused, fearing—as a foreigner, even though she had lived in Italy for a long time—that she would sign a document without being certain of complete understanding.

A "language barrier," as stated in the indictment, nevertheless prompted the doctors to proceed anyway, administering the transfusion . The woman recovered and was discharged, but shortly thereafter filed a complaint against the two hospital doctors for domestic violence, believing the forced transfusion had been abusive and not a life-saving necessity. The case went to court, and after twelve hearings , the preliminary hearing judge, more than eight years after the incident, fully acquitted the two doctors . The defense of the two Cardarelli professionals was satisfied, while the woman's lawyers are awaiting the reasons for the sentence—which will be filed within 90 days—to assess their appeal.

(Unioneonline)

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