Bringing clarity to complexity

The seventh edition of ‘Practical Transfusion Medicine’, edited by Professors' Michael Murphy, Nancy Dunbar and Erica Wood, is an up-to-date practical guide to transfusion medicine.  

The aim is to provide a concise yet comprehensive reference tool that takes the reader through the principles of transfusion medicine, clinical transfusion practice, complications of transfusion, and cellular and tissue therapy.  

It focuses on both current transfusion practice and future developments. The authorship is international with a number of Australian contributors, making it a useful local resource. 

Dr Erin O’Reilly from The Royal Children’s Hospital, and co-author of the chapter on obstetric transfusion medicine, with Drs Anna Parakh and Helen Savoia, said that: “This chapter provides an updated, evidence-based overview of transfusion management in pregnancy and the peripartum period in a structured approach, beginning with routine antenatal screening for maternal blood group and red cell antibodies, followed by detailed discussion of RhD prophylaxis, and the identification and management of perinatal anaemia.  

“There is a detailed discussion of the identification and management of haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), including recent advances in the use of non-invasive prenatal testing to increase the precision of identifying pregnancies at risk of severe HDFN.  

“Obstetric haemorrhage, the leading cause of maternal mortality globally, is addressed with a focus on early recognition and evidence-based management to reduce morbidity and mortality. Key references and suggestions for further reading are included.”  

Co-editor Professor Erica Wood from Monash University/Monash Medical Centre thanked the readers of previous editions, who had provided very positive and valuable feedback, which was incorporated into this update, including expanded chapters on patient blood management and new developments in cellular therapies.  

She said “It has been very helpful to know what is most useful and where we should expand content coverage to help our readers, who include junior doctors just starting out in haematology and transfusion medicine through to experienced clinicians and scientists. And a big thanks to our authors from around the world, including a number from Australia, who worked very hard on this new edition! We hope you like it, and find it useful in your practice, whether you are using the hard copy or the online version.” 

Practical Transfusion Medicine - Michael F. Murphy, Nancy M. Dunbar, Erica M. Wood - Google Books