qSOFA Score Calculator

Enter three bedside findings — mental status, respiratory rate, and systolic blood pressure — to calculate the qSOFA score and assess sepsis risk.

Use the qSOFA Score Calculator

For educational use only. Not a substitute for clinical judgment. All sepsis assessments must be made by qualified clinicians alongside full patient evaluation.

Bedside Criteria

Three parameters — all obtainable without lab tests.

1

Glasgow Coma Scale below 15 — any new confusion, disorientation, or reduced responsiveness.

2

Score 1 point if 22 or more per minute. Normal adult range: 12–20/min.

3

Score 1 point if 100 mmHg or below. Normal: 100–140 mmHg.

Enter the three bedside values
and click Calculate.

qSOFA Criteria & Scoring Reference

Criterion Threshold Points
Altered Mental Status GCS < 15 1
Respiratory Rate ≥ 22 breaths/min 1
Systolic Blood Pressure ≤ 100 mmHg 1
Total (maximum) 3

Score Interpretation

0 – 1
Lower Risk
Monitor and reassess. Low qSOFA does not rule out sepsis if clinical suspicion is high.
2
High Risk
Prompt evaluation warranted. Obtain blood cultures, lactate, and calculate full SOFA score.
3
Very High Risk
Urgent sepsis evaluation and management. Consider ICU transfer and early sepsis bundle activation.

Summary

The quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score is a rapid bedside tool endorsed by the Sepsis-3 consensus (2016) to identify patients outside the ICU who are at increased risk of poor outcomes from sepsis. It awards one point each for altered mental status (GCS below 15), respiratory rate of 22 or more breaths per minute, and systolic blood pressure at or below 100 mmHg. A qSOFA score of 2 or higher should prompt full clinical evaluation including blood cultures, lactate measurement, and consideration of the complete SOFA score to confirm organ dysfunction.

How it works

  1. Select whether the patient has altered mental status (GCS below 15).
  2. Enter the respiratory rate in breaths per minute.
  3. Enter the systolic blood pressure in mmHg.
  4. Click Calculate to receive the total qSOFA score (0–3).
  5. A score of 2 or 3 indicates high sepsis risk and warrants urgent clinical evaluation.
  6. Use results alongside full clinical assessment; a low qSOFA does not rule out sepsis.

Use cases

  • Rapidly screen ward or emergency department patients with suspected infection for sepsis risk.
  • Triage patients who may need ICU-level monitoring or early sepsis bundle initiation.
  • Guide the decision to obtain blood cultures, lactate, and full SOFA evaluation.
  • Communicate sepsis risk to the clinical team using a standardized, reproducible score.
  • Support early intervention to reduce mortality in high-risk patients.
  • Use as a teaching aid in medical education for sepsis recognition.
  • Track serial qSOFA assessments in patients with evolving clinical status.
  • Apply in resource-limited settings where lab values for full SOFA may be unavailable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-09-30 · Reviewed by Nham Vu