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The CPT® Code 36592 refers to the procedure of collecting a blood specimen through an established central or peripheral catheter, specifically venous access that is not otherwise specified. This procedure is essential for obtaining blood samples for various diagnostic tests and is performed using a sterile technique to ensure the integrity of the specimen. The process begins with the cleansing of the catheter hub to minimize the risk of infection. A syringe is then attached to the catheter, and the catheter is flushed with normal saline to clear any residual fluids and prepare it for blood collection. Following this, blood is allowed to fill the central line, and an initial 5 ml of blood is aspirated into the syringe and discarded to ensure that the sample collected is not contaminated by any residual fluids in the catheter. If a Vacutainer system is utilized, it is then attached to the catheter, and labeled blood tubes are connected to the Vacutainer to collect the required blood volume. Once the blood collection is complete, the Vacutainer system is removed, and the catheter is flushed again with normal saline if further infusion procedures are planned. If no additional infusions are to follow, the line is flushed with heparin to maintain patency. Alternatively, a syringe can be used without the Vacutainer system to collect the blood specimen, providing flexibility in the method of collection based on the clinical scenario.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 36592 is indicated for the collection of blood specimens in various clinical scenarios. The following conditions or situations may warrant this procedure:
The procedure for collecting a blood specimen using CPT® Code 36592 involves several key steps that ensure the collection is performed safely and effectively.
After the blood specimen has been collected, the healthcare provider should ensure that the catheter remains patent and is properly maintained. If the catheter is to be used for further infusions, it is flushed with normal saline to prepare it for the next use. If no further infusions are planned, the catheter should be flushed with heparin to prevent clot formation. The collected blood specimens should be labeled accurately and sent to the laboratory for analysis as per the facility's protocols. Additionally, the site of the catheter should be monitored for any signs of complications, such as infection or phlebitis, following the procedure.
| Short Descr | COLLECT BLOOD FROM PICC | Medium Descr | COLLECT BLOOD FROM CATHETER VENOUS NOS | Long Descr | Collection of blood specimen using established central or peripheral catheter, venous, not otherwise specified | Status Code | Injection | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 3 - Technical Component Only Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | STV-Packaged Codes | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 63 - Other non-OR therapeutic cardiovascular procedures |
| 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. | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 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. | 52 | Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | AG | Primary physician | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | PD | Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Guideline information changed. |
| 2008-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2008. |
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