How to Use the qSOFA Calculator
- Enter the Following Measurements:
- Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS): Assess the patient’s mental state using the GCS scale (maximum score: 15).
- Respiratory Rate (breaths per minute): Count the number of breaths per minute.
- Systolic Blood Pressure (mmHg): Measure the patient’s systolic blood pressure.
- Calculate the qSOFA Score:
- Altered Mental State: GCS score less than 15 = 1 point.
- Fast Respiratory Rate: ≥ 22 breaths/min = 1 point.
- Low Systolic Blood Pressure: ≤ 100 mmHg = 1 point.
- Interpret the Results:
- 0–1 points: Low in-hospital mortality risk.
- 2–3 points: High in-hospital mortality risk, with a 3- to 14-fold increase in mortality risk.
What’s a Healthy vs. Unhealthy Range?
- Healthy Range:
- GCS: 15 (fully alert)
- Respiratory Rate: 12–20 breaths per minute
- Systolic Blood Pressure: Above 100 mmHg
- Unhealthy Range:
- GCS: Below 15
- Respiratory Rate: 22 or more breaths per minute
- Systolic Blood Pressure: 100 mmHg or less
A score of 2 or more indicates the need for immediate medical evaluation to assess for potential sepsis or other critical conditions.
Sepsis Definition:
Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated immune response to infection. It can lead to severe complications like hypotension, organ failure, and acidosis.
The body’s defense mechanism during infection releases endotoxins, leading to vascular dilation, increased permeability, and decreased oxygen delivery to organs. These changes cause progressive damage, manifesting as acute conditions such as respiratory distress, renal failure, or altered mental status.
qSOFA Score Creation:
Dr. Christopher Seymour developed the qSOFA tool based on data from 148,907 participants in a study assessing clinical criteria for sepsis (Sepsis-3). The tool identifies patients at high risk of mortality due to infections outside ICUs.
qSOFA Criteria:
The qSOFA score is based on three clinical criteria:
- Altered Mental State (GCS < 15)
- Fast Respiratory Rate (≥ 22 breaths/min)
- Low Systolic Blood Pressure (≤ 100 mmHg)
Patients with 2 or more points are at a significantly increased risk of mortality and require immediate evaluation.
Why Use This Calculator?
- Rapid Risk Assessment: Enables quick identification of patients at high risk for infection-related mortality.
- Early Intervention: Supports clinicians in deciding whether further diagnostic tests or treatments are necessary.
- Accessible and Easy to Use: Requires only three clinical parameters, making it ideal for bedside assessments.
- Proven Mortality Risk Indicator: A positive qSOFA result is associated with a significantly increased risk of in-hospital mortality.