New PLA Code for Monocyte Distribution Width (MDW) Marker

The American Medical Association designated MDW with a PLA code. This important milestone reflects the proprietary and novel aspects of MDW as a marker that helps to establish risk of severe infection and sepsis in adult ED patients.
New PLA Code for Monocyte Distribution Width (MDW) Marker

Earlier this year the American Medical Association (AMA) assigned a new, discreet Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code for our revolutionary biomarker, Monocyte Distribution Width (MDW). This is an exciting development that brings great benefits to both healthcare professionals and patients.

“The recognition of MDW through a PLA Code exemplifies the trust and confidence placed in our capabilities and reaffirms our commitment to providing cutting-edge diagnostic solutions,” noted Shawn Schwartz, Associate Director, Market Access Health Economics & Policy at Beckman Coulter. “This significant milestone may help to transform patient outcomes through wider adoption of MDW within the medical community, which has the potential to decrease adverse sepsis outcomes.”

Unlike conditions and diseases such as heart failure and diabetes, there is no one test for sepsis, which is the yearly cause of 1 in 5 deaths.1 MDW, available on Beckman Coulter hematology analyzers, is the only regulatory-cleared hematological biomarker that helps to establish risk of severe infection and sepsis in adult patients in the ED. It is reported automatically as part of the complete blood count with differential (CBC-Diff) using the Early Sepsis Indicator (ESId) application, which enables automatic reporting with no workflow changes or need to order additional tests. 

CPT Copyright 2023 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

Danaher Corporation, our parent company, prohibits accepting binding arbitration.

References:

1. World Health Organization. WHO Calls for Global Action on Sepsis - cause of 1 in 5 Deaths Worldwide. September 8, 2020. Accessed November 9, 2023. https://www.who.int/news/item/08-09-2020-who-calls-for-global-action-on-sepsis---cause-of-1-in-5-deaths-worldwide

Related Articles

What is Monocyte Distribution Width (MDW) and What Role Does It Play in the Early Detection of Sepsis?

What is Monocyte Distribution Width (MDW) and What Role Does It Play in the Early Detection of Sepsis?

A large unmet clinical need for the early detection of sepsis exists. MDW is a novel, regulatory-cleared biomarker intended to meet this need.
How Bacteria Become Antibiotic Resistant

How Bacteria Become Antibiotic Resistant

Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat, making common infections harder to treat. Learn some of the mechanisms by which bacteria become antibiotic resistant.
Sepsis & the Immune System: The Connection

Sepsis & the Immune System: The Connection

The human immune system is a remarkable defense mechanism designed to protect against a multitude of threats. When this sophisticated defense system goes awry and leads to a deadly condition known as sepsis, it becomes a critical medical emergency.