On-Call Manual A Systematic Approach to Solving Common Issues in Transfusion Medicine (PDF Book)

by Philip Howard, MD; Alexis Peedin, MD; and Melissa George, DO

When they are calling you, who are you going to call? This handy resource is intended to assist residents, fellows, and attending pathologists who are on call, are covering the transfusion service, and do not yet have the experience of a seasoned expert. More than 20 realistic cases are presented, involving the types of situations that can happen at any time but seemingly happen on your watch rather frequently. The cases involve patients experiencing transfusion reactions; clinicians requesting red cell, platelet, and plasma/cryoprecipitate transfusion; possible use of apheresis; and situations involving obstetric/perinatal/pediatric patients.

Each case spans the initial questions to be asked, differential diagnosis, consultation with others, evaluation of test results, what portends for the patient’s future transfusion management, and handing off to the next shift’s personnel with a complete report.

The editors crowd-sourced the topics from among their colleagues and applied a structured, systematic approach that can be used anywhere, even in situations not described in the book. References and suggested readings are also included.