Blood Safety in the New Millennium

Abstract

Edited by Susan L. Stramer, 236 pp, with illus, Bethesda, Md, American Association of Blood Banks, 2001.Blood Safety in the New Millennium, edited by Susan L. Stramer, is a multiauthored book that keeps a relatively uniform style for each of its 8 chapters. As stated in the foreword, “the book explores how far we have come in protecting the blood supply from transfusion-transmitted disease and projects what lies ahead.” The editor did an excellent job in successfully reaching this goal while keeping a somewhat consistent format.The first chapter on donor qualification focuses on the importance of behavioral science input into the donor-interviewing process and gives a brief overview of research tools that have improved or may improve donor screening, including a brief description of computer-assisted donor screening interviews.Chapters 2 and 3 are devoted to viral and parasitic agents threatening blood safety. The dynamics of viremia and parasitemia are discussed in a very practical way and are indicative of the era in which we live, acknowledging that the economic component plays an important role. The information and tables are up-to-date and appropriately used.Subsequent chapters cover a variety of issues. Chapter 4 complements the preceding 2 chapters by providing up-to-date information on emerging diseases that affect or may affect the blood supply. Chapter 5 provides a detailed, albeit sometimes redundant, look at the safety of the blood supply during the past 30 years. Chapter 6 returns to the topic of hepatitis C virus with an excellent description of this viral infection and its clinical consequences. Chapter 7 discusses cell-associated infections and cancer, including information on transfusion-related immunomodulation. The final chapter focuses on the medical decision dilemma of blood bankers and transfusion medicine specialists trying to find a balance between optimal blood safety and costs.This book is a well-written, up-to-date publication, which will capture the attention of blood bank medical directors, transfusion specialists, and pathology and clinical colleagues involved in decision-making processes to ensure a safe blood supply.

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