qSOFA Score (quick SOFA)

The qSOFA Score: Rapid Sepsis Screening

The qSOFA (quick Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment) score was introduced in 2016 during the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3). Designed to rapidly identify adult patients with suspected infection who are at high risk of a poor outcome (increased in-hospital mortality or prolonged ICU stay), it replaces the older model based on systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria.

Advantages and Use in Clinical Practice

The major advantage of qSOFA lies in its simplicity. Unlike the full SOFA score, it requires no laboratory tests (blood work). It can be calculated immediately at the bedside, in the emergency department, or pre-hospital setting, by evaluating 3 simple clinical parameters:

• Neurological: Any alteration in mental status (Glasgow < 15).
• Respiratory: Tachypnea (Respiratory rate ≥ 22 breaths/minute).
• Hemodynamic: Hypotension (Systolic Blood Pressure ≤ 100 mmHg).

Clinical Interpretation

Total Score	Prognosis	Clinical Action
0 - 1	Not predictive of sepsis	Continue standard medical evaluation.
2 - 3	High mortality risk (Probable sepsis)	Medical alert. Screen for organ dysfunction (SOFA score), obtain cultures, consider intensive care.

---

References:

1. Singer M, et al. The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3). JAMA. 2016. [JAMA Network]
2. Seymour CW, et al. Assessment of Clinical Criteria for Sepsis: For the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock. JAMA. 2016. [JAMA Network]