After a person donates whole blood, the blood bank will follow a series of steps to process and prepare the blood for use in medical treatments. Here is a simplified explanation of the basic steps involved:

1. Laboratory testing: After the donation is complete, the collected blood is sent to the laboratory for testing. This includes checking for infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis. The blood is also typed to determine its ABO and Rh type.
2. Component separation: Whole blood units are separated into its components - red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. This allows the blood bank to provide specific blood components to patients who need them.
3. Storage: The separated components are stored in specialized refrigerators at the blood bank until they are needed for transfusion.
4. Distribution: When a patient needs a blood transfusion, the blood bank will provide the appropriate blood component based on the patient's needs and blood type.