qSOFA Calculator

Screen for sepsis risk at the bedside with qSOFA: respiratory rate of 22 or more, altered mentation and systolic blood pressure of 100 or less. Example: a respiratory rate of 24 and a systolic pressure of 95 score 2, a positive screen.

How to use the qSOFA Calculator

1. Enter the values in the fields.
2. Press Calculate to see the result with the steps shown.

Formula and method

qSOFA = respiratory rate 22 or more (1) + altered mentation (1) + systolic BP 100 mmHg or lower (1). A score of 2 or more is a positive screen.

qSOFA criteria

What a positive screen means

Patients with suspected infection and 2 or more points have a higher chance of dying in hospital or needing ICU care, so clinicians look for organ dysfunction and start sepsis care.

Limits

Several guidelines recommend against using qSOFA alone as a screening tool because it can miss early sepsis; NEWS2 and SIRS are alternatives.

Cautions

This calculator is for education and is not medical advice. Decisions about diagnosis and treatment belong with a qualified clinician.

Frequently asked questions

What does qSOFA stand for?

Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment.

What is a positive qSOFA?

2 or more points.

Does a negative qSOFA exclude sepsis?

No.

Where is it used?

Emergency departments and wards.

Is it a diagnosis?

No.

What is the full SOFA?

A lab-based organ failure score used in ICU.

Sources

• Seymour et al., JAMA 2016: Assessment of clinical criteria for sepsis
• Surviving Sepsis Campaign

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