Quick SOFA (qSOFA) Score

What This Calculator Measures

Identifies adults with suspected infection who are at high risk of sepsis-related organ dysfunction and death, prompting escalation of care.

How to Use

1. Use in a patient with suspected infection to prompt further assessment.
2. Measure the respiratory rate and systolic blood pressure and assess mental status.
3. Enter each value; each criterion met scores 1 point.
4. A score of 2 or more should prompt escalation, including assessment for organ dysfunction and consideration of ICU-level care.

Interpretation Guide

qSOFA ranges from 0–3. A score of 0 is low concern, 1 indicates moderate concern, and ≥ 2 indicates high risk of sepsis-related organ dysfunction and mortality and should prompt escalation of care.

Clinical Significance

qSOFA provides a rapid bedside screen that, in the setting of suspected infection, flags patients at elevated risk of poor outcomes and enables earlier recognition and treatment of sepsis.

When to Use

• Bedside screening in patients with suspected infection outside the ICU
• Rapid triage in the emergency department
• Serial reassessment for clinical deterioration in suspected sepsis

When Not to Use

• As the sole diagnostic tool for sepsis — use full clinical sepsis criteria and assessment
• In pediatric patients — qSOFA is not validated in children
• As a substitute for thorough clinical assessment and vital sign monitoring
• In pregnancy, where physiological changes may alter normal blood pressure and respiratory rate

Limitations

• qSOFA is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test for sepsis.
• It has lower sensitivity than the full SOFA score; a low qSOFA does not exclude sepsis.
• Intended primarily for non-ICU settings; predictive value is reduced in the ICU.
• Does not include lactate or other biomarkers.
• Physiological changes in pregnancy may affect interpretation of blood pressure and respiratory rate.

Worked Example

A 58-year-old woman with suspected urinary sepsis has a systolic blood pressure of 95 mmHg, respiratory rate 24/min, and is alert and oriented.

qSOFA = 2 (SBP ≤ 100 mmHg and RR ≥ 22/min). High risk of sepsis-related organ dysfunction — escalate care urgently.

Evidence

Source

Sepsis-3 / qSOFA Derivation

Reference

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.

Reviewed By

MedCalcHub Clinical Team

Version

1.0

Updated

2026-08

1. Seymour CW, et al. JAMA. 2016;315(8):762-774.

References

1. 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. (Derivation/Validation Study)

Frequently Asked Questions