Blood count; red blood cell (RBC), automated
CPT4 code
Name of the Procedure:
Blood count; red blood cell (RBC), automated
- Common name: RBC count
- Technical term: Automated Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count
Summary
An automated red blood cell (RBC) count is a lab test that measures the number of red blood cells in your blood. It uses a machine to quickly and accurately count the cells, usually as part of a complete blood count (CBC) test.
Purpose
- Medical Condition: Diagnoses and monitors conditions such as anemia, dehydration, malnutrition, leukemia, and other disorders affecting RBC production and lifespan.
- Goals: To provide critical information about your overall health and help guide treatment decisions based on RBC levels.
Indications
- Symptoms like fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, or paleness.
- Chronic conditions that affect RBC count, such as kidney disease or cancer.
- Routine check-ups or pre-surgical evaluations.
Preparation
- Pre-procedure instructions: Generally, no special preparation is needed. You may be advised to stay hydrated.
- Diagnostic Tests: None required beforehand, but it may be part of a broader diagnostic work-up.
Procedure Description
- Blood Sample Collection: A healthcare professional will draw a small amount of blood from a vein, typically in your arm, using a sterile needle.
- Automated Analysis: The blood sample is then placed in an automated analyzer, a machine that counts the RBCs and may provide additional metrics like hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit.
- Assessment: The results are reviewed by a clinical lab technologist and sent to your doctor for analysis.
- Tools/Equipment: Sterile needle, vacutainer tubes, automated hematology analyzer.
- Anesthesia/Sedation: Not required.
Duration
Typically takes just a few minutes for the blood draw. Results may be available within a few hours to a day, depending on the lab.
Setting
Performed in a hospital, outpatient clinic, doctor's office, or diagnostic laboratory.
Personnel
- Phlebotomists or nurses to draw blood.
- Laboratory technologists to operate the automated analyzer and interpret results.
- Physicians to review the results and plan further care.
Risks and Complications
- Common Risks: Minor discomfort or bruising at the needle site.
- Rare Risks: Infection or excessive bleeding at the puncture site.
- Management: Applying pressure and keeping the area clean usually prevent complications.
Benefits
- Provides crucial information about your red blood cell count and overall health.
- Results can help diagnose and monitor a wide range of medical conditions.
- Quick and relatively painless with minimal risk.
Recovery
- Post-procedure care: Apply pressure to the blood draw site to prevent bruising.
- Recovery Time: Immediate; you can return to normal activities right away.
- Follow-up: Depending on results, follow-up appointments may be necessary.
Alternatives
- Other Tests: Manual RBC count (less common, more labor-intensive), complete blood count (CBC) which includes other cell counts and metrics.
- Pros/Cons: Automated count is faster, more accurate, and less prone to human error compared to manual methods.
Patient Experience
- During the Procedure: Mild discomfort at the needle insertion site.
- After the Procedure: Minimal pain; if any, it resolves quickly. Bruising can occur but usually disappears in a few days.
- Pain Management: Mild painkillers or cold compress if bruising occurs, although rarely needed.