A blood bank is a centre where the blood gathered as a result of the donation, stored and preserved for later use in blood transfusions. The term "blood bank" generally refers to a division of a hospital where the blood product storage occurs and where appropriate testing is performed (to reduce the risk of transfusion-related adverse events). However, it sometimes refers to a collection centre, and even some hospitals also carry the collection.

For donation of blood in various country agencies, see the list of bodies of blood donation and blood donation organizations list in the United States.


While the first blood transfusions were performed directly from the donor to the recipient prior to coagulation, it was discovered that by adding anticoagulant and refrigerating the blood, it was possible to store it for a few days, opening so the way for the development of blood banks. John Braxton Hicks was the first to experiment with chemical methods to prevent the coagulation of the blood at the Hospital St Mary, London at the end of the 19th century. His attempts, using phosphate of soda, however, were unsuccessful.

The first non-directe transfusion was made on March 27, 1914 by the Belgian doctor Albert Hustin, although this was diluted blood. The Argentine Doctor Luis Agote used a solution much less diluted in November of the same year. Both sodium citrate used as anticoagulant