qSOFA Sepsis Screening Calculator
qSOFA may help identify higher-risk patients but must not be used as the sole sepsis screening tool. In hospital settings, follow your local pathway — NEWS2, MEWS, SIRS, or other approved systems may be preferred.
Understanding this tool
Why nurses use it
qSOFA is a bedside quick screen (altered mentation, hypotension, tachypnoea) that may flag patients at higher risk outside the ICU. It is useful for awareness but must not replace full sepsis pathways.
When to use it
Use as a supplementary screen only. In hospital settings, prefer NEWS2, MEWS, or SIRS-based sepsis pathways per Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2026 guidance — do not delay sepsis treatment while calculating scores.
Calculate
How to use this calculator
- Assess the three qSOFA components at the bedside.
- A score ≥2 suggests higher risk — activate your local sepsis pathway.
- Never rule sepsis in or out on qSOFA alone.
How the calculation works
One point each for: GCS <15, SBP ≤100 mmHg, RR ≥22/min. It is a simple additive screen, not a diagnostic test.
Formula used by this tool — verify units before applying at the bedside.
Worked example
Limitations & clinical notes
- 2026 Surviving Sepsis Campaign: prefer NEWS/NEWS2/MEWS/SIRS over qSOFA alone in hospital.
- qSOFA does not rule sepsis in or out.
References
Key sources: Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2026.
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Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational and bedside double-check purposes only. It does not replace institutional protocols, prescriber orders, pharmacist verification, or clinical judgment. Always follow your local policies — especially for high-risk medications, infusions, pediatrics, and critical care. If the patient is acutely unwell, escalate immediately rather than relying on any calculator output.