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Official Description

Pooling of platelets or other blood products

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 86965 involves the pooling of platelets or other blood products. This process is essential in transfusion medicine, where individual units of blood, which may come from different donors, are combined to create a concentrated dose of platelets or other blood components. The pooling is performed to ensure that the patient receives an adequate quantity of platelets or blood products, which can be critical in various medical situations, such as during surgeries, for patients with low platelet counts, or in cases of significant blood loss. By pooling these components, healthcare providers can enhance the efficacy of transfusions, improve patient outcomes, and ensure that the necessary therapeutic levels of platelets or blood products are achieved. This procedure is particularly important in managing conditions that require increased platelet levels, such as thrombocytopenia or during chemotherapy treatments that affect blood cell production.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The pooling of platelets or other blood products is indicated in several clinical scenarios where a patient requires a concentrated dose of these components. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Thrombocytopenia - A condition characterized by a low platelet count, which can lead to increased bleeding risk.
  • Massive blood loss - Situations such as trauma or surgical procedures where significant blood loss occurs, necessitating rapid replenishment of blood components.
  • Bone marrow disorders - Conditions affecting the bone marrow's ability to produce adequate blood cells, including platelets.
  • Chemotherapy - Patients undergoing chemotherapy may experience decreased platelet production, requiring transfusions to maintain safe platelet levels.

2. Procedure

The procedure for pooling platelets or other blood products involves several critical steps to ensure safety and efficacy. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Collection of Blood Products - Blood products are collected from multiple donors. Each unit is carefully screened and tested to ensure compatibility and safety for the recipient.
  • Step 2: Processing of Blood Products - The collected blood units are processed to separate the platelets or other desired components from the whole blood. This may involve centrifugation, where the blood is spun at high speeds to separate its components based on density.
  • Step 3: Pooling of Components - The separated platelets or blood products from different units are pooled together in a sterile environment. This step is crucial to create a concentrated dose that meets the therapeutic needs of the patient.
  • Step 4: Quality Control - After pooling, the combined product undergoes quality control checks to ensure that it meets the necessary standards for transfusion. This includes verifying the volume, platelet count, and overall integrity of the pooled product.
  • Step 5: Transfusion Preparation - The pooled platelets or blood products are prepared for transfusion, ensuring that they are stored under appropriate conditions until they are administered to the patient.

3. Post-Procedure

After the pooling procedure, the pooled platelets or blood products are typically transfused to the patient. Post-procedure care includes monitoring the patient for any adverse reactions to the transfusion, such as allergic reactions or transfusion-related complications. Healthcare providers will observe the patient for signs of improvement in platelet levels and overall condition. Additionally, documentation of the transfusion, including the source of the pooled products and the patient's response, is essential for compliance and future reference. Patients may also require follow-up blood tests to assess the effectiveness of the transfusion and to monitor for any potential complications.

Short Descr POOLING BLOOD PLATELETS
Medium Descr POOLING PLATELETS/OTHER BLOOD PRODUCTS
Long Descr Pooling of platelets or other blood products
Status Code Statutory Exclusion (from MPFS, may be paid under other methodologies)
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 9 - Not Applicable
Multiple Procedures (51) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Co-Surgeons (62) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Team Surgery (66) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator STV-Packaged Codes
Type of Service (TOS) 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) T1H - Lab tests - other (non-Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 235 - Other Laboratory
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
Date
Action
Notes
2011-01-01 Changed Guideline information changed.
1993-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1993.
Code
Description
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