CPT® Code 86978

Pretreatment of serum for use in RBC antibody identification; by differential red cell absorption using patient RBCs or RBCs of known phenotype, each absorption

The CPT® Code 86978 refers to the process of pretreating serum for the purpose of identifying red blood cell (RBC) antibodies. This procedure involves the differential red cell absorption technique, which utilizes either the patient's own red blood cells or red blood cells of a known phenotype. The goal of this pretreatment is to enhance the identification of antibodies present in the serum, which can be crucial for various medical evaluations, including blood transfusions and compatibility testing. In this context, the serum, which is derived from the patient's blood sample, is treated with specific antigens by adding red blood cells that have these antigens already attached. This interaction allows for a more accurate identification of any antibodies that may be present in the serum. It is important to note that if the serum sample is diluted prior to the addition of red blood cells, the appropriate code to use would be 86976. Alternatively, if an inhibitor is introduced to neutralize a drug that may be affecting the serum, the correct code would be 86977. The specific code 86978 is designated for instances where the red blood cells and serum are incubated together before proceeding with the testing, ensuring that the antibodies can be effectively identified.