MedDesk
Tools

qSOFA: quick sepsis screen (with the caveat)

Deterioration & sepsis

Sepsis-3's bedside prompt: two of three flags poor outcome in suspected infection. The 2021 Surviving Sepsis Campaign says do NOT use it as the sole screen: it is specific, not sensitive.

What you enter

  • Respiratory rate ≥22 (+1)
  • Systolic BP ≤100 (+1)
  • Altered mentation (GCS <15) (+1)
FORMULAOne point each: RR ≥22, SBP ≤100, altered mentation; ≥2 = high risk
SourceSinger M et al. The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3). JAMA 2016;315:801-10; caveat per Evans L et al. Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021ReviewedFormula and thresholds checked against the source on 2026-08-22. If the source updates, this line will say so.