Home > Encyclopedia of Science > Blood Supply

• Blood banks
• Blood donations
• Words to Know
• Separation of blood components
• Diseases and the blood supply

Blood supply refers to the blood resources in blood banks and hospitals that are available for use by the health care community. The blood supply consists of donated blood units (in pints) that are used in blood transfusions. A blood transfusion is a procedure whereby blood is administered through a needle into the vein of a person or animal. Such transfusions are usually performed in order to replace blood lost due to injury or surgery.

Blood banks

Blood banks are institutions that store blood to be distributed to local hospitals and medical centers. There are over 5,000 blood banks...