Wiki Port-A-Cath Placement Assistance

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Jody Mortensen

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How do you know the difference between a tunneled vs non-tunneled central venous catheter? The surgery report follows: The patient's right subclavian vein was punctured. Guidewire was placed & introduce. The sheath was advanced under fluroscopic guidance. The catheter tip was positioned at the junction of the superior vena cava & right subclavian vein. A incision was made on the right upper chest & a pocked for the the port was created with electrocautery. The catheter was then tunneled from the site of the puncture through the tunnel & attached to the port as recommended. The port was secured to the subcutaneious fascia. Would this be CPT code 36561? I am correct in intrepretating the sheath is what is used to create the tunnel? Any assistance, clarification for me would be appreciated.

Thank you
Jody Hecht
 
Well in the OP Report it states the catheter was tunneled that should tell you that it is tunneled. Yes 36561 would be correct.
 
Depends on age of patient

Yes, this is a tunneled cath with a port. Use 36560 or 36561 depending on age of patient.

F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC
 
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