⚠️ qSOFA Score（quick SOFA (RR, mentation, SBP)）
Bedside scoring tool — not a hospital AI agent
- Rapid bedside screen in suspected infection outside ICU (RR, mentation, SBP)
- Prompt escalation: full SOFA, lactate, and local sepsis pathway
- Diagnose sepsis alone (limited sensitivity; <2 does not exclude)
- Replace clinical judgement or the local sepsis pathway
Formula1 point each: respiratory rate ≥ 22, altered mentation (GCS < 15), systolic BP ≤ 100. ≥ 2 = higher risk.
Stratification≥ 2 flags higher risk of poor outcomes in suspected infection and should trigger organ-function assessment (full SOFA).
SourcesSources: Sepsis-3/qSOFA Singer JAMA 2016 (doi 10.1001/jama.2016.0287); China ED sepsis consensus (edition on page)
UseRapid bedside screen in suspected sepsis outside the ICU.
Strata≥ 2 flags higher risk of poor outcomes in suspected infection and should trigger organ-function assessment (f…
LimitsLimited sensitivity — a score < 2 does not exclude sepsis. · Sepsis-3 organ dysfunction is defined by an acute SOFA rise ≥ 2, not … · Use as a prompt to escalate, not as a standalone diagnosis.
SourceSinger M, et al. Sepsis-3. JAMA 2016
This-shift next steps
After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.
- Who it is for
- Adults with suspected infection when deciding whether to treat this hour as sepsis.
- Who it is not for
- Stable patients scored only to fill a number. Children do not follow adult bundle dosing.
- Formula and variables
- qSOFA is respiratory rate, systolic pressure, and mentation. NEWS2 is respiration, oxygenation, supplemental oxygen, blood pressure, pulse, consciousness, and temperature. SOFA is six organ systems. MEWS stays off the main door. Weights stay as on this page. qSOFA is not a diagnosis.
- Result → next step
- A positive screen only escalates assessment. Next page is the sepsis bundle. qSOFA alone must not switch on antibiotics. Antimicrobials stay at drug-class direction; the spectrum page may be opened. No numeric dose here. In-hospital screening per SSC 2026 (2026-03-23) uses NEWS, NEWS2, MEWS, or SIRS, not qSOFA alone.Sepsis bundle →
- Guideline and review date
- SSC 2026 (2026-03-23)
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Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
qSOFA ≥ 2 warrants escalation and assessment for organ dysfunction.
When to use
Rapid bedside screen in suspected sepsis outside the ICU.
How it works
1 point each: respiratory rate ≥ 22, altered mentation (GCS < 15), systolic BP ≤ 100. ≥ 2 = higher risk.
Key points
- qSOFA ≥ 2 warrants escalation and assessment for organ dysfunction.
- A score < 2 does not exclude sepsis.
- It is a prompt, not a diagnosis.
References
- [Guideline / primary source]Singer M, et al. Sepsis-3. JAMA 2016
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Respiratory rate ≥ 22/min | No |
|---|---|
| Altered mentation (GCS < 15) | No |
| Systolic BP ≤ 100 mmHg | No |
→qSOFA0/3
- Interpretation：< 2: lower risk (does not rule out sepsis).
| Respiratory rate ≥ 22/min | Yes |
|---|---|
| Altered mentation (GCS < 15) | Yes |
| Systolic BP ≤ 100 mmHg | Yes |
→qSOFA3/3
- Interpretation：≥ 2: higher risk of mortality / prolonged ICU stay.
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Does qSOFA ≥2 equal a sepsis diagnosis?
- No. ≥2 flags higher risk and prompts organ assessment; Sepsis-3 diagnosis uses acute SOFA rise. Computed locally in the browser; patient data are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; combine with history, exam, and local protocol — not a standalone decision.
- Can a score <2 exclude sepsis?
- No. Limited sensitivity; a negative screen does not exclude sepsis — reassess dynamically. Computed locally in the browser; patient data are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; combine with history, exam, and local protocol — not a standalone decision.
- How does qSOFA work with full SOFA?
- qSOFA is a bedside prompt outside ICU; if ≥2 or clinically concerning, complete full SOFA, lactate, and local pathway. Computed locally in the browser; patient data are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; combine with history, exam, and local protocol — not a standalone decision.
- Are patient data uploaded, and where is it calculated?
- Computed locally in the browser; patient data are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; combine with history, exam, and local protocol — not a standalone decision.
- How is qSOFA Score Calculator calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Respiratory rate ≥ 22/min No, Altered mentation (GCS < 15) No, Systolic BP ≤ 100 mmHg No → Result: qSOFA 0 /3（Interpretation: < 2: lower risk (does not rule out sepsis).） Inputs: Respiratory rate ≥ 22/min Yes, Altered mentation (GCS < 15) Yes, Systolic BP ≤ 100 mmHg Yes → Result: qSOFA 3 /3（Interpretation: ≥ 2: higher risk of mortality / prolonged ICU stay.）