qSOFA (Quick SOFA) Score for Sepsis Screening
Rapid 3-variable bedside tool for identifying patients with suspected infection at risk of poor outcomes consistent with sepsis (Sepsis-3 criteria). Score of >= 2 warrants further assessment.
Score interpretation
qSOFA 0–1: not positive. qSOFA is a prompt, not a diagnostic test — a negative result does not exclude sepsis.
→ Continue standard care. Reassess if clinical deterioration. Note: qSOFA is a screening tool — a negative result does not exclude sepsis if clinical suspicion is high.
qSOFA ≥ 2 with suspected infection identifies a higher risk of death or prolonged ICU stay (Seymour 2016). It prompts a search for organ dysfunction; it does not define sepsis (Sepsis-3: acute rise in SOFA ≥ 2).
→ Initiate Sepsis Six: blood cultures, IV antibiotics within 1 hour, IV fluid bolus, lactate, urine output monitoring, high-flow O2. ICU/HDU assessment. SOFA score if in ICU.
Interpretation bands for the qSOFA. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Singer M, et al. The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3). JAMA. 2016;315(8):801-810.
- Seymour CW, et al. Assessment of Clinical Criteria for Sepsis: For the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3). JAMA. 2016;315(8):762-774.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Ceftriaxone (Paediatric) · Third-Generation Cephalosporin — Meningitis / Sepsis / Community-Acquired Pneumonia
- Gentamicin (Paediatric) · Aminoglycoside — Neonatal Sepsis / Gram-Negative Infections in Children
- Flucloxacillin (Burns — Wound Infection) · Antibiotic — Penicillinase-Resistant Penicillin
- Piperacillin-Tazobactam (Burns — Sepsis) · Antibiotic — Extended-Spectrum Penicillin + Beta-Lactamase Inhibitor
- Meropenem (Burns — Severe Sepsis/MDR) · Antibiotic — Carbapenem
- Colistin (Polymyxin E — XDR Burns Infection) · Antibiotic — Polymyxin (Last-Resort)
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.