Should the doctors have respected the patient’s autonomy and ignored their own responsibility to save lives, or ignored the patient’s religious beliefs and attempted to save the life of the woman and her fetus?

Shirley, a 20-year-old, pregnant woman was taken to an Emergency Room in critical condition following a single-vehicle car accident. She exhibited symptoms of internal bleeding and was advised to have a blood transfusion and emergency surgery in an attempt to save her and the fetus. She refused to accept blood or blood products and rejected the surgery. Her refusal was based on a taboo regarding blood transfusions, due to her belief in Bible scripture (Acts 15:20). Her husband presented the physician with Shirleys blood card, issued by the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The card stated her advance directives, including the prohibition of receiving blood and blood products. Shirley’s condition worsened within 2 hours. She went into labor and delivered a stillborn baby boy, after which she was immediately transferred to the intensive care unit. Despite continued attempts to stabilize her, Shirley suffered cardiac arrest and died.
How should this conflict of ethical duties be resolved? Should the doctors have respected the patient’s autonomy and ignored their own responsibility to save lives, or ignored the patient’s religious beliefs and attempted to save the life of the woman and her fetus? Explain your reasoning, using deontology.

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