This new handbook in transfusion medicine and hemostasis aims to combine clinical and laboratory information from two fields which have high degrees of overlap into one concise, easy-to-use pocket book. This comprehensive reference guide will have the depth of information to be helpful to all physicians who order and administer blood components and specialized factors for hemostatic abnormalities, as well as those who consult and care for these often very ill patients. The breadth of the book will be ideal for pathology, transfusion medicine, hematology, and anesthesiology residents and fellows, as well as certified and specialized practitioners in these fields.

The editors have chosen to employ a standardized format throughout the book which allows each chapter to be focused on a well-defined subject consisting of less than 6 pages. Information should be easy to read, precise, and concise. Though extensive reference lists are valuable in larger texts, they are not necessary in a pocket-size handbook intended for quick reference. The editors have chosen to include key, recent publications as ''Further Readings'', most often from the past 2 years. A general reference list to larger textbooks and standards in the fields will be included at the end along with a list of common abbreviations and indexes that cross reference diagnostic, clinical and therapeutic commonalities.