CPT® Code 85032

A manual blood cell count is a laboratory procedure that involves the quantification of specific types of blood cells, namely erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), and platelets (thrombocytes). This procedure is essential for diagnosing various medical conditions, monitoring health status, and guiding treatment decisions. During the process, a blood sample is collected from the patient, which can be obtained through venipuncture or capillary sampling. The sample is then analyzed using a hemocytometer, a specialized counting chamber that allows for the manual counting of cells under a microscope. The manual erythrocyte count involves placing the hemocytometer on the microscope stage, where the central area is divided into 25 squares. The technician counts the erythrocytes present in the four corner squares and the center square, ensuring that the counts do not vary by more than 10 cells between these areas. The final erythrocyte count is determined by averaging the counts from these squares. Similarly, leukocytes and platelets are counted using a hemocytometer that is divided into nine squares, with all nine squares being counted and averaged to obtain the final count. The CPT® code 85032 is reported for each type of blood cell that is counted, reflecting the manual nature of the procedure and the specific cell type being analyzed.