Pitt Bacteraemia Score
Severity score in patients with bloodstream infection (Hilf 1989). Predicts mortality and used to stratify patients in clinical trials of new antibiotics. Sums 5 weighted variables (max 14); ≥ 4 = critically ill.
Score interpretation
Pitt bacteraemia score below the validated cut-off of 4: lower early mortality than ≥ 4, but bacteraemia still needs active management.
→ Targeted antibiotics per culture and sensitivities with ID review; source control (line removal, drainage). Echocardiography if Gram-positive / endocarditis risk; imaging for the source. Reassess if the patient deteriorates.
Pitt ≥ 4 is the validated cut-off for critical illness and early mortality (Henderson 2020: 14-day mortality risk ratio 6.0 in bloodstream infection).
→ ICU / critical care review. Resuscitation per Surviving Sepsis. Empirical broad-spectrum cover per local guidance (anti-pseudomonal β-lactam ± aminoglycoside ± antifungal if neutropenic). ID consult; daily review for source control.
Interpretation bands for the Pitt Bacteraemia. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Daptomycin · Cyclic Lipopeptide — MRSA / VRE / Bacteraemia / Endocarditis
- Ceftriaxone (Paediatric) · Third-Generation Cephalosporin — Meningitis / Sepsis / Community-Acquired Pneumonia
- Gentamicin (Paediatric) · Aminoglycoside — Neonatal Sepsis / Gram-Negative Infections in Children
- Piperacillin-Tazobactam (Burns — Sepsis) · Antibiotic — Extended-Spectrum Penicillin + Beta-Lactamase Inhibitor
- Meropenem (Burns — Severe Sepsis/MDR) · Antibiotic — Carbapenem
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.