qSOFA Score Calculator

Calculate the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score — a three-item bedside screen that flags patients with suspected infection who are at higher risk of poor outcomes.

🚨 Clinical Score📐 qSOFA = respiratory rate ≥ 22 + altered mentation + SBP ≤ 100🏥 Health

Respiratory rate ≥ 22 breaths/min

Altered mentation (GCS < 15)

Systolic blood pressure ≤ 100 mmHg

Please enter valid values.

Formula & Reference

Variable	Symbol	Formula	Units
qSOFA Score Calculator	—	qSOFA = respiratory rate ≥ 22 + altered mentation + SBP ≤ 100	points

Step-by-Step Examples

Example 1

Negative Screen

Suspected urinary infection. RR 18, fully alert, SBP 132.

Respiratory rate < 22 → 0
Mentation normal → 0
SBP > 100 → 0
Total = 0

✓ qSOFA 0 — negative screen

Example 2

Borderline

Suspected pneumonia. RR 24, alert, SBP 118.

Respiratory rate ≥ 22 → 1
Mentation normal → 0
SBP > 100 → 0
Total = 1

✓ qSOFA 1 — negative but warrants close observation

Example 3

Positive Screen

Suspected abdominal infection. RR 26, confused, SBP 94.

Respiratory rate ≥ 22 → 1
Altered mentation → 1
SBP ≤ 100 → 1
Total = 3

✓ qSOFA 3 — positive screen, high concern

Real-World Applications

🚑

Emergency Triage

qSOFA needs no laboratory tests, so it can be applied at first contact in the emergency department or prehospital setting.

🏥

Ward Screening

General ward teams use qSOFA to identify patients with infection who may be developing organ dysfunction.

🌍

Resource-Limited Settings

Because it requires only observation and a blood pressure cuff, qSOFA is usable where laboratory-based scores are not.

📚

Sepsis Education

qSOFA was introduced with the Sepsis-3 definitions and is taught alongside them in critical care curricula.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

⚠️

Using qSOFA in patients without suspected infection

qSOFA was derived and validated specifically in suspected-infection populations. Applied indiscriminately, its predictive value falls apart.

⚠️

Treating a negative qSOFA as reassurance

Sensitivity is modest — many patients who go on to develop sepsis screen negative early. Clinical suspicion must override a score of 0 or 1.

⚠️

Confusing qSOFA with SOFA

They are different instruments. qSOFA is a three-item bedside screen; full SOFA grades six organ systems using laboratory data and is what actually defines organ dysfunction in Sepsis-3.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is qSOFA used for? ▾

Rapidly identifying patients with suspected infection who are at increased risk of prolonged ICU stay or in-hospital death, using three bedside observations.

What counts as a positive qSOFA? ▾

Two or more of the three criteria. That threshold prompts closer evaluation for organ dysfunction, not an automatic sepsis diagnosis.

Is qSOFA better than SIRS criteria? ▾

It is more specific but less sensitive. Many institutions therefore use qSOFA as a prompt for escalation rather than as a sole screening tool.

Does a qSOFA of 2 mean the patient has sepsis? ▾

No. Sepsis under Sepsis-3 requires suspected infection plus organ dysfunction defined by a SOFA increase of 2 or more. qSOFA only flags who needs that closer look.

Can qSOFA be used in children? ▾

No — it was derived in adults, and paediatric vital sign thresholds differ substantially by age.