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Current section: Scores

Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA)

A tool for rapid sepsis assessment without the need for lab tests, making it especially useful in emergencies and resource-limited settings.

Clinical parameters

A Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score less than 15

Required

Respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute or greater

Required

Systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 100 mmHg or less

Required

Clinical context

qSOFA was introduced as part of the Sepsis-3 definition in 2016 to provide a quick bedside assessment tool that does not require laboratory data. Unlike the full SOFA score, qSOFA can be calculated outside the ICU, such as in emergency departments or general wards, helping clinicians promptly identify patients who may require escalation of care. While it is a rapid screening tool, it does not replace clinical judgment or more comprehensive diagnostic assessments.