qSOFA score calculator
Tick the three bedside criteria to get the quick SOFA (qSOFA) score of a patient with suspected infection. Two or more points flag a higher risk of a poor outcome. The score is information for clinicians; it does not diagnose sepsis.
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How to use it
- Count the breathing rate over a full minute and tick it if it is 22 or more.
- Tick altered mental state if the Glasgow Coma Scale is below 15.
- Tick low blood pressure if the systolic pressure is 100 mmHg or less.
- Read the score: 2 or 3 is the higher-risk group.
How the score works
Each criterion is worth one point, so qSOFA runs from 0 to 3.
| Criterion |
Point |
| Respiratory rate ≥ 22/min |
1 |
| Altered mentation (GCS < 15) |
1 |
| Systolic BP ≤ 100 mmHg |
1 |
Worked example
A 70-year-old with pneumonia breathes 26 times a minute, is fully alert, and has a blood pressure of 96/58. Respiratory rate 1 + blood pressure 1 = 2, higher risk. The next step is a fuller assessment such as a SOFA score with blood tests.
Common mistakes
- Using qSOFA as a screening test that rules sepsis out. It is a risk flag, and a low score can miss sepsis.
- Estimating the breathing rate instead of counting it for a full minute.
- Forgetting that the criteria apply to patients with suspected infection.
- Suspected sepsis is an emergency; this page is for information and does not replace clinical assessment.
Frequently asked questions
What is qSOFA used for?
The Sepsis-3 definitions (2016) introduced it as a quick bedside prompt: in a patient with suspected infection, 2 or more points identify those more likely to die or need a long intensive care stay, and should lead to a check for organ dysfunction.
Is a qSOFA of 0 or 1 reassuring?
Not enough on its own. qSOFA misses many patients who go on to have sepsis, so a low score does not rule it out. Several guidelines advise against using qSOFA alone as the screening tool.
How is qSOFA different from SOFA?
SOFA scores six organ systems from 0 to 4 using blood tests and treatment, and a rise of 2 or more defines organ dysfunction in sepsis. qSOFA uses only three bedside signs and needs no laboratory results.
What counts as altered mentation?
Any Glasgow Coma Scale score below 15, including new confusion or drowsiness.