Clinical Chemistry 52: 162, 2006;
10.1373/clinchem.2005.050815
(Clinical Chemistry. 2006;52:162.)
© 2006 American Association for Clinical Chemistry, Inc.
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Book, Software, and Web Site Reviews |
Textbook of Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine, Second Edition. Sally V. Rudman, editor. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders, 2005, 686 pp., $59.95, hardcover. ISBN 0-7216-0384-X.
Helen Savoia
The Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia
The author has dedicated this book to her students, and indeed, it is a comprehensive and easy-to-use text for students learning the art and science of blood banking and transfusion medicine. The book begins with sections on basic immunology and genetics and progresses to the technical aspects of the blood group and HLA systems. There is a comprehensive section on the donation, preparation, and storage of blood components. Although this is specifically relevant to the North American student, the general principles are relevant worldwide. The chapter on Clinical Considerations will appeal more broadly to students in other disciplines, and the section on Safety, Quality Assurance, and Data Management is essential reading for all students contemplating a laboratory career.
The textbook contains many features that will assist the student. The margins on each page are broad, allowing the student to add notes or highlight important features. The margins also contain important definitions and notes, and the tables and illustrations in the text are easy to read. Each chapter is preceded by a list of objectives or expected learning outcomes. Although these may appeal to some students, the sheer number of them for each chapter may overwhelm others. The chapter summaries and multiple-choice questions make the text a comprehensive teaching tool.
The book also contains short "expert opinions" that discuss advances in the various fields. The section on Veterinary Transfusion Medicine is fascinating, and the section Lessons for Disaster Preparedness after September 11 is thought-provoking and presents a lesson that those involved in disaster planning should heed.
Overall, Sally Rudman and her contributors have produced a textbook that will achieve its objectives and will contribute to the education of future blood bankers.
