Question

Which of the following identifies a specimen as long as it remain in the laboratory?

A) ICD-10 Code
B)Accession number
C) CPT COde
D) Medical record number

Answer 1

An Accession number is the unique identifier used to track a specimen in a laboratory. It is distinct from ICD-10 Codes, Medical Record Numbers, and CPT Codes, which have different purposes, including diagnosis, patient identification, and billing respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

The specimen in a laboratory is identified by an Accession number. An Accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each specimen as it enters the laboratory for tracking and identification purposes. Unlike ICD-10 Codes, which are used by clinicians to diagnose conditions, or Medical Record Numbers, which identify a patient’s overall file, the Accession number specifically tracks each individual laboratory specimen through the testing process, ensuring that test results are correctly recorded and reported back to the appropriate patient file.

CPT Codes (Current Procedural Terminology codes), on the other hand, are used to describe medical, surgical, and diagnostic services and are used by insurers to determine the amount of reimbursement that a practitioner will receive.