Emergencies
Infectious Diseases
qSOFA was proposed in Sepsis-3 as a very simple bedside tool to identify, among patients with suspected infection, those likely to have an increased risk of poor outcomes outside the ICU. It comprises three clinical criteria. qSOFA must not be presented as a diagnostic test for sepsis and should not delay the assessment or treatment of an acutely ill patient.
Number of questions
3 criteria
Approximate duration
< 1 minute
Population
patients with suspected infection, acute setting
Modality
clinical score
QuestionnaireqSOFA
CLINICIAN SCORE
The healthcare professional assesses three criteria at the time of the acute episode: respiratory rate ≥ 22/min, altered mental status, and SBP ≤ 100 mmHg; each criterion met is worth 1 point (score from 0 to 3).
Are you patient?
qSOFA is a professional tool for acute care settings. An altered mental state, respiratory distress, or severe discomfort warrant immediate medical evaluation, regardless of any score calculated online.
Terms of contract
Vital signs must be measured at the relevant time during the acute episode. The score should be interpreted in the context of a suspected infection and does not replace a full clinical examination, vital signs, or laboratory results. The qSOFA score should not be used on its own to screen for sepsis, as its sensitivity is insufficient. It remains a useful tool for prognostic signaling and clinical vigilance, and should never delay medical assessment.
Score interpretationqSOFA
Sum of present criteria, 1 point each. Score from 0 to 3.
Total score
First reading
0
to
1
A score < 2 does not rule out sepsis or a serious infection.
2
to
3
A score ≥ 2 was associated in the Sepsis-3 studies with a higher risk of poor prognosis.
≥ 2: higher risk of a poor prognosis, thorough evaluation needed; < 2: does not rule out sepsis or a serious infection.
Its sensitivity is insufficient to make it a standalone screening tool. It must be combined with clinical assessment and other relevant tools.
Frequently asked questions
Does qSOFA diagnose sepsis?
Why only three criteria?
What are its limitations?
Sources and references
Singer M et al.
Singer M et al., JAMA, 2016
In practice
Full name
quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment
Method
clinical score
Language
Not applicable (clinical score)
Authors
Singer M et al.
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