Coma scale, best motor, localizes pain, in the field

This code indicates a specific assessment of a patient's neurological status, specifically their best motor response as "localizes pain" on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). This assessment was performed by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel in a pre-hospital setting. It reflects a moderate level of motor function in response to noxious stimuli.

Use this code when EMS documentation clearly states a GCS motor score of 5 (localizes pain) and specifies that this assessment was performed in the field (e.g., by an EMT or paramedic). This typically applies to patients experiencing altered mental status due to trauma, stroke, overdose, or other acute neurological events prior to hospital arrival.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "localizes pain" as the best motor response and confirms the assessment occurred in the pre-hospital environment.
• This code should be sequenced after the primary diagnosis necessitating the GCS assessment (e.g., traumatic brain injury, stroke).
• Do not use this code if the GCS assessment was performed upon arrival at the emergency department or by hospital staff; specific codes exist for in-hospital GCS assessments.