Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Question: What does KVO mean in the phrase "continues to infuse at KVO prior to and during chemotherapy"?

Wisconsin Subscriber

Answer: Verifying abbreviations with the provider is always best, but in this context, KVO most likely means "keep vein open."

For example, the nurse may keep a saline infusion running between therapeutic infusions so that the IV line stays open. You also will notice the rate for a KVO line is typically slower than a therapeutic infusion of saline for dehydration or prophylactic purposes would be.

Remember: You should not code for this saline administration. CPT® guidelines state that you should not report 96360 (Intravenous infusion, hydration; initial, 31 minutes to 1 hour) or +96361 (... each additional hour [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) "when the purpose of the intravenous fluid is to 'keep open' an IV line prior or subsequent to a therapeutic infusion, or as a free-flowing IV during chemotherapy or other therapeutic infusion."