Home
Career Stage
Medical Students Residents Attendings CPT Codes Resources Blog Support

86891 Autologous blood outpatient salvage

Pathology & Lab

Also known as: Intraoperative blood salvage, Cell salvage, Operative autologous reinfusion

Operative autologous blood salvage and reinfusion during surgical procedures. Collects, processes, and returns patient's shed blood.

In Plain Language

Surgery blood collection and reuse; Intraoperative blood recycling

Clinical Context

Used during operative procedures to collect blood from surgical field, process it, and return it to patient, reducing need for allogeneic transfusion.

RVU Information

CPT 86891 does not have a physician work RVU assigned by CMS. Reimbursement for this code is determined by payer-specific fee schedules.

Billing & Documentation

Lab and pathology codes require an order from the treating provider with clinical indication. For molecular pathology and genetic testing, document the specific analytes tested and clinical rationale.

How This Code Compares

This code has a work RVU of 0.00, meaning it does not have a physician work component assigned by CMS. In the Pathology & Lab category, 94% of codes share this characteristic.

Specialties

Transfusion MedicineSurgeryAnesthesia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CPT code 86891?

CPT 86891 (Autologous blood outpatient salvage) is a Pathology & Lab code. Operative autologous blood salvage and reinfusion during surgical procedures. Collects, processes, and returns patient's shed blood.

Who uses CPT code 86891?

CPT 86891 is used by Transfusion Medicine, Surgery, Anesthesia. Used during operative procedures to collect blood from surgical field, process it, and return it to patient, reducing need for allogeneic transfusion.

When is CPT 86891 used?

Used during operative procedures to collect blood from surgical field, process it, and return it to patient, reducing need for allogeneic transfusion.

Track This Code in RVU Edge

Log procedures, calculate wRVUs, and benchmark against national data — all in one app.

CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.