Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Understand testing process to see how codes work together. If you don't know "typing" from "crossmatch," you'll have a hard time picking the right code when your lab performs human leukocyte antigen (HLA) testing for transplant patients. Get a clear snapshot of the testing that leads to transplant by reading the following guidance: You Should Know the 'Type' The surface of almost every cell has protein molecules called human leukocyte antigens (HLA) that the body uses to distinguish itself from foreign invaders. Testing to identify these molecules (markers) is called "HLA typing." "The most successful tissue transplants often occur when the donor and recipient have an increase of key HLA markers in common," explains Diana Voorhees, MA, CLS, MT (ASCP) SH, CLCP, principal with DV and Associates Inc. in Salt Lake City. That's why the first step in searching for a transplant donor is HLA typing of the recipient and [...]