CPT® Code 86932

The CPT® Code 86932 refers to a laboratory procedure involving the freezing of blood units, which includes both the preparation and thawing processes. This procedure is essential for the long-term storage of red blood cells, allowing them to be preserved for future transfusions. The process begins with the collection of blood from a donor, which is a separately reportable procedure. Once the blood is obtained, it undergoes preparation where the serum or plasma is separated from the red blood cells. To protect the integrity of the red blood cells during freezing, they are treated with a glycerol-based cryoprotectant. This preservative penetrates the cell membrane and displaces water within the cells, a process known as glycerolization. This step is crucial as it helps maintain a pressure balance within the cells, preventing the formation of ice crystals that could cause the cells to swell and rupture during the freezing process. The blood unit is then frozen at extremely low temperatures, specifically at -122.8 °F or lower. When the blood is needed for transfusion, it is thawed by placing it in a water bath set to 98.6°F (37°C) for approximately 30 minutes. Following thawing, the red blood cells undergo a washing process, known as deglycerolization, using a series of progressively dilute sodium solutions to remove the glycerol, any white blood cell fragments, and plasma. After this process, the thawed unit can be stored at temperatures between 1-6°C for up to 24 hours. If the thawed blood is not immediately required for transfusion, it may be refrozen, provided that a rejuvenation chemical is added prior to refreezing. This comprehensive procedure is encapsulated in CPT® Code 86932, which covers the entire process of preparation, freezing, and thawing of blood units.