Haematology procedure manual

I do not teach Hematology but as former clinical lab science student I would have found this resource helpful. It is clear Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less. It is clear and concise and has a format that is engaging and visually appealing. The lab manual offers accurate and error free guidance with many clear and useful images.

The images offer a clear demonstration of the concepts that are required for an entry level hematology laboratory scientist. Cellular morphology does not need much updating other than an occasional terminology update. This manual appears to be current and relevant and has a strong workplace relevance for a hematology laboratory scientist.

The manual is written in a clear and easily understood format and integrates concepts in concise paragraphs outlining cause and laboratory test results. The manual is consistent chapter to chapter which adds to its ease of use. It would be easy to integrate into course assignments and is an efficient way to review and reinforce learning. The modality is what I like like best about this manual. It can be used at the bench side as a quick reference and also as a study tool.

The topics are presented in a logical clear fashion and is easy to switch from one topic to another. Interfaces beautifully which saves student time and frustration while following up on questions or reviewing for a practical. This manual is easy to use and access. It covers the full range of concepts covered in a Hematology course and is flexible in application as it can be used in several situations. The first chapter simply started with the picture and names of different red blood cells in the maturation series.

It is assumed that the reader has a prior knowledge of all blood cells. It would be appropriate if there was a chapter on Comprehensiveness rating: 2 see less. It would be appropriate if there was a chapter on Hematopoiesis, general lab safety, microscopy, slide preparation, staining to name a few.

Some information regarding anemia's, leukemia's, RBC indices demands inclusion in the beginning of book. Some very basic background information is missing that make it hard on the reader to correlate different topics. Another key thing that is lacking is the end of chapter review questions and case studies.

As this is a open textbook where content can be easily updated, I do not see any issue with relevance. If the 1st letter of each diseased state was typed in BOLD, it would give more clarity to the reader.

Even though the outline is easy to steer but going through each section, I was searching for information as to why the content is presented. There is no correlation between each sections. There is no formal introduction in each section.

Abbreviations are listed at some places without the explanation eg. CLL section I. The text is presented in sections and subsections with clear titles which makes it easy to navigate. The majority of content in each subsection is presented in points, which makes it easy to apprehend, unlike long sentences or paragraphs.

Picture collection is great!. Presentation of topics is well structured. A chapter on the introduction to various cell lines, Hematopoiesis flowchart, safety and microscopy is expected in the beginning of the book.

The downloaded PDF version of the book has spacing issues throughout. Images in the PDF seems to overlap; they should be neatly spaced. Some pages have image missing. It has instructions to view image online but this could be issue for some readers without internet access.

Is that a chapter number? Other than the previously mentioned concerns, text appears to cover all other areas of Clinical Hematology. Content of text appears to be up-to-date and text is arranged in such a way that necessary updates will be relatively easy to implement. Text would be a great supplemental resource or a great review resource for students. The majority of the text appears to be written as though the reader already has some understanding of Clinical Hematology concepts.

There is also no glossary present for clarity of some terms. This book appears to be well organized. The table of contents link make finding a specific page in the book very easy, the chapters are consistent with the titles, and the bold words catch a readers eye to important data.

The topics in the text are presented in a logical, clear fashion. Another confusing feature is that not all images are present, the reader is given the following error "An interactive or media element has been excluded from this version of the text.

You can view it online here The PDF also has several hyperlinks that might cause issues for reader accessibility guidelines. Pages are distorted. Text would make a great review source for students.

Students may not be fully aware of what these basic terms mean. Other than that, the book seems pretty comprehensive.

In the Plt section, there are no images of normal platelets on PBS. RBC indices are also Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less. RBC indices are also used as a quality control check which is not mentioned in the part of the text that explains this. I like the outline version of this book. Platelet size irregularities are suggestive of particular thrombocyte disorders. Peripheral blood smear made from EDTA-anticoagulated blood. Smears should be made within 1 hour of blood collection from EDTA specimens stored at room temperature to avoid distortion of cell morphology.

Unstained smears can be stored for indefinite periods in a dry environment, but stained smears gradually fade unless coverslipped. Training and experience in examining immature and abnormal cell morphology are essential. A set of reference slides with established parameters should be established to assess the competence of an individual to perform differential and morphological identification of leukocytes and erythrocytes.

Participation in a quality assurance program continues to document the expertise of the hematologist in microscopy. Questionable or abnormal smears should be referred to a supervisor or pathologist for verification. If platelets are clumped, this should be noted and one of the following comments added to the report:.

Pathway for differential cell count. Count each white cell seen and record on a differential cell counter, until white cells have been counted.

If any nucleated red cells NRBCs are seen during the differential count, enumerate them on a separate counter. They are not to be included in the cell differential count. The following formula is used:. While counting the cells, make a note of any abnormalities present in the cells. It is important to examine cellular morphology and to count leukocytes in areas that are neither too thick nor too thin.

In areas that are too thick, cellular details such as nuclear chromatin patterns are difficult to examine. In areas that are too thin, distortion of cells makes it risky to identify a cell type. Results are expressed as a percentage of the total leukocytes counted. They should have a central pallor. Be conservative. In most cases an abnormality must be a consistent finding in order to be significant Note any variations from normal and classify them as to :.