qSOFA Calculator
Bedside screening score for suspected infection
Equation & limitations
- Equation
- qSOFA = (RR ≥22: 1) + (SBP ≤100: 1) + (altered mentation: 1); range 0–3
- Version
- Third International Consensus (Sepsis-3) 2016
- Source
- Seymour CW, et al. Assessment of clinical criteria for sepsis. JAMA. 2016;315:762–774.
- Appropriate in
- Adults with suspected infection OUTSIDE the ICU, as a prompt to escalate assessment — not a sepsis diagnosis.
- Limitations
- A positive screen mandates more evaluation; it does not by itself diagnose sepsis or mandate antibiotics.
- Performance in the ICU is inferior to ICU scoring systems — it was derived for ward/ED use.
- Confusion, tachypnoea or hypotension from other causes (e.g. COPD) can score points without infection.
For educational use. Results support, and do not replace, clinical judgement — check them against the patient and local guidelines.