How the calculation works
Add one point each for respiratory rate ≥22/min, systolic blood pressure ≤100 mm Hg, and altered mental status. Possible score: 0–3.
Worked example
A patient with respiratory rate 24, systolic pressure 95 mm Hg, and unchanged mentation has a qSOFA score of 2.
Understanding the result
qSOFA is not a diagnosis of sepsis. It was developed to flag risk in patients with suspected infection, not to rule sepsis in or out.
The Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommends other tools, such as NEWS/NEWS2, MEWS, or SIRS, over qSOFA as a stand-alone screening method because qSOFA can miss cases.
Limitations
For clinical context in adults with suspected infection. Do not delay care on the basis of a low score.