How To Use CPT Code 32561

CPT 32561 describes the instillation of an agent via a chest tube or catheter to dissolve fibrin proteins in the chest. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 32561?

CPT 32561 can be used to describe the instillation of an agent via a chest tube or catheter to dissolve fibrin proteins in the chest. This code is used for all related services provided on the first day of treatment.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 32561 is: ‘Instillation(s), via chest tube/catheter, agent for fibrinolysis (eg, fibrinolytic agent for break up of multiloculated effusion); initial day.’

3. Procedure

1. The healthcare provider checks the indwelling chest tube or catheter and clamps it.
2. She carefully disconnects the tube or catheter from the drainage hose.
3. The provider injects the fibrinolytic agent into the tube or catheter after removing the clamp, allowing the agent to move into the chest cavity.
4. She puts the clamp back on the tube or catheter and moves the patient into various positions over a couple of hours to distribute the agent within the chest cavity.
5. The provider removes the clamp and restarts suction.
6. She may repeat this procedure multiple times during the first day of treatment.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 32561 is used when a patient has a multiloculated effusion, which refers to fluid located in multiple fixed pockets in the patient’s anatomy. The procedure is performed via a chest tube or catheter, and the purpose is to dissolve fibrin proteins found in clots.

5. When to use CPT code 32561

CPT code 32561 should be used when the provider performs the instillation of an agent via a chest tube or catheter for fibrinolysis on the initial day of treatment. This code should not be used for subsequent days, as there is a separate code for reporting services on subsequent days (CPT code 32562).

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 32561, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis and the presence of a multiloculated effusion
• Specific agent used for fibrinolysis
• Date of the procedure
• Start and end time of the procedure
• Details of the procedure, including the positions the patient was moved into and the number of times the procedure was repeated
• Signature of the healthcare provider performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 32561, ensure that the procedure is performed via a chest tube or catheter and that it is the initial day of treatment. This code should not be reported with other codes for subsequent days of treatment. It is important to use a single unit of this code to represent all fibrinolysis instillations performed on the initial day of treatment.

8. Historical information

CPT 32561 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2010. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A healthcare provider instills a fibrinolytic agent via a chest tube to dissolve fibrin proteins in a patient’s chest with a multiloculated effusion.
2. A physician performs the instillation of a fibrinolytic agent via a catheter to break up clots in a patient’s chest.
3. A pulmonologist injects an agent via a chest tube to dissolve fibrin proteins in a patient’s chest with a multiloculated effusion.
4. An interventional radiologist performs the instillation of a fibrinolytic agent via a catheter to treat a patient with a multiloculated effusion.
5. A thoracic surgeon administers a fibrinolytic agent via a chest tube to dissolve fibrin proteins in a patient’s chest with a multiloculated effusion.
6. A cardiologist performs the instillation of an agent via a catheter to dissolve clots in a patient’s chest.
7. An interventional radiologist injects a fibrinolytic agent via a chest tube to treat a patient with a multiloculated effusion.
8. A pulmonologist administers a fibrinolytic agent via a catheter to dissolve fibrin proteins in a patient’s chest with a multiloculated effusion.
9. A thoracic surgeon performs the instillation of an agent via a chest tube to break up clots in a patient’s chest.
10. An interventional radiologist injects a fibrinolytic agent via a catheter to treat a patient with a multiloculated effusion.