Doody's Book Review

This book provides an overview of blood banking and transfusion medicine, including blood collection and processing issues, therapeutic apheresis, basic immunohematology, transfusion practices and related issues, and regulatory concerns. It includes review questions and case studies for the benefit of students in the field. The purpose is to provide clinical laboratory scientists and other health care professionals with a working knowledge of immunohematology. The audience is students, practicing blood bankers, and any individual who desires knowledge of current immunohematology theory. The moderate complexity and the inclusion of study aids make the book suitable for medical technology and medical laboratory technician students. Pathology residents, pathologists, hematology/oncology fellows and attendings, anesthesiologists, and others wishing an introduction to the field may also benefit, but the text is not a comprehensive reference. The table of contents is thorough. Each chapte r begins with an outline of its contents, objectives, and key words, and ends with a summary and review questions. Illustrations and tables are plentiful and clear. A glossary is included. A study aid at the end of the book includes additional chapter-linked questions and answers with explanations, and nine case studies accompany the antibody identification section. This second edition is a readable, clear, and concise text providing an overview of blood banking and transfusion medicine. Scattered typographical errors are bothersome and lead to occasional confusion. Overall, however, the features of the book, including objectives, case studies, review questions, and an extensive study aid with questions and explanations of the answers, make this a helpful text. Michele D. Raible, MD, PharmD(Loyola University Medical Center). Copyright 2001, Doody Publishing