What is the qSOFA score used for?

The qSOFA (quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) score is a bedside tool used in adults with suspected infection, mainly outside the ICU, to quickly identify patients at higher risk of sepsis-related organ dysfunction and poor outcomes. It uses three simple clinical criteria: respiratory rate, mental status, and systolic blood pressure.

How is the qSOFA score calculated?

qSOFA assigns 1 point for each of the following: respiratory rate ≥ 22 breaths/min, altered mental status (GCS < 15), and systolic blood pressure ≤ 100 mmHg. The points are summed for a total score from 0 to 3. A score of 2 or more suggests increased risk of poor outcome and should prompt further evaluation and possible escalation of care.

What does a qSOFA score of 2 or 3 mean?

A qSOFA score of 2 or 3 in a patient with suspected infection is associated with a higher risk of in-hospital mortality and prolonged ICU stay. It should trigger closer monitoring, consideration of sepsis protocols, and evaluation for organ dysfunction using full SOFA or other tools. qSOFA is not diagnostic of sepsis by itself.

Is qSOFA a replacement for SIRS or SOFA?

No. qSOFA is a rapid bedside screening tool, not a replacement for full SOFA scoring or clinical judgment. It does not capture all aspects of organ dysfunction and has limited sensitivity. Many guidelines recommend using qSOFA as a prompt to look more closely at the patient, not as the sole basis for diagnosis or treatment decisions.

Can qSOFA be used in children or ICU patients?

qSOFA was derived and validated in adult patients and is not recommended for children. In ICU settings, the full SOFA score is generally preferred for assessing organ dysfunction. qSOFA is most useful in emergency departments, hospital wards, and pre-hospital settings as a quick screen in adults with suspected infection.

qSOFA (quick SOFA) Score Calculator

Q: What does a qSOFA score of 2 or 3 mean?

A qSOFA score of 2 or 3 in a patient with suspected infection is associated with a higher risk of in-hospital mortality and prolonged ICU stay. It should trigger closer monitoring, consideration of sepsis protocols, and evaluation for organ dysfunction using full SOFA or other tools. qSOFA is not diagnostic of sepsis by itself.

Q: Is qSOFA a replacement for SIRS or SOFA?

No. qSOFA is a rapid bedside screening tool, not a replacement for full SOFA scoring or clinical judgment. It does not capture all aspects of organ dysfunction and has limited sensitivity. Many guidelines recommend using qSOFA as a prompt to look more closely at the patient, not as the sole basis for diagnosis or treatment decisions.

Q: Can qSOFA be used in children or ICU patients?

qSOFA was derived and validated in adult patients and is not recommended for children. In ICU settings, the full SOFA score is generally preferred for assessing organ dysfunction. qSOFA is most useful in emergency departments, hospital wards, and pre-hospital settings as a quick screen in adults with suspected infection.

Rapid bedside screening tool for adults with suspected infection to identify risk of sepsis-related organ dysfunction.

Adult Emergency / Ward Screening only – not diagnostic

qSOFA Score Calculator

Respiratory rate (breaths/min) Criterion: RR ≥ 22

RR ≥ 22 (assign 1 point)

Mental status Criterion: GCS < 15 or acute change

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

Acute change in mental status

Altered mental status (assign 1 point)

Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) Criterion: SBP ≤ 100

SBP ≤ 100 mmHg (assign 1 point)

Important Use qSOFA only if infection is suspected or confirmed.

Infection suspected/confirmed in this patient

qSOFA total score (0–3)

Low risk (qSOFA 0–1)

In adults with suspected infection, qSOFA ≥ 2 suggests higher risk of poor outcome and should prompt closer monitoring and evaluation.

qSOFA is a screening tool and does not replace clinical judgment, full SOFA, or sepsis guidelines.

What is the qSOFA (quick SOFA) score?

The qSOFA (quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) score is a simple bedside tool proposed by the Sepsis-3 task force to help identify adult patients with suspected infection who are at higher risk of sepsis-related organ dysfunction and poor outcomes, especially outside the ICU (e.g., emergency department, hospital wards, pre-hospital settings).

qSOFA uses only three easily measured clinical criteria and does not require laboratory tests. It is not a diagnostic test for sepsis, but a prompt to look more closely at the patient and consider escalation of care.

qSOFA criteria and scoring

The qSOFA score ranges from 0 to 3. Each criterion is worth 1 point if present:

qSOFA components

Respiratory rate ≥ 22 breaths/min → 1 point
Altered mental status (GCS < 15 or acute change) → 1 point
Systolic blood pressure ≤ 100 mmHg → 1 point

Total qSOFA score = sum of points (0–3).

Interpretation

qSOFA 0–1: Lower risk of poor outcome, but sepsis is still possible. Continue clinical assessment and monitoring.
qSOFA ≥ 2: Higher risk of in-hospital mortality and prolonged ICU stay. Consider:
- Closer monitoring and more frequent vital signs
- Evaluation for organ dysfunction (e.g., full SOFA score, labs)
- Activation of sepsis protocols according to local guidelines
- Early involvement of senior/critical care teams

When should qSOFA be used?

qSOFA is intended for:

Adults (≥ 18 years)
With suspected or confirmed infection
Primarily outside the ICU (ED, wards, pre-hospital)

It is not validated for children, pregnant patients, or as a stand‑alone diagnostic tool.

Clinical pearls and limitations

qSOFA is simple and fast, but has limited sensitivity – a low score does not rule out sepsis.
Many institutions still use SIRS criteria, early warning scores (NEWS, MEWS), and full SOFA alongside qSOFA.
qSOFA focuses on organ dysfunction rather than early inflammatory response.
Always interpret qSOFA in the context of the whole clinical picture, comorbidities, and trajectory over time.

Step-by-step example

Adult patient with suspected pneumonia in the ED:

Respiratory rate: 26 breaths/min → meets criterion (1 point)
GCS: 14 (drowsy but arousable) → altered mental status (1 point)
Systolic BP: 95 mmHg → meets criterion (1 point)

qSOFA = 1 + 1 + 1 = 3

This patient has a qSOFA score of 3, indicating high risk of poor outcome. They require urgent evaluation for sepsis, prompt resuscitation, and consideration for ICU-level care according to local protocols.

Safety and disclaimer

This calculator is provided for educational and decision-support purposes only and does not replace clinical judgment, institutional protocols, or specialist consultation. qSOFA should be used as one element of a comprehensive assessment.