qSOFA (quick SOFA) is a bedside screening tool for sepsis outside the ICU. It uses three criteria: respiratory rate ≥ 22, altered mentation (GCS < 15), and systolic blood pressure ≤ 100 mmHg. Each criterion scores 1 point. A score ≥ 2 suggests possible sepsis and prompts further evaluation.

What is the difference between qSOFA and SOFA?

qSOFA is a screening tool using 3 bedside criteria (no lab tests needed) to identify patients who may have sepsis. SOFA is a more comprehensive organ dysfunction score using 6 organ systems (with lab values) used to define and quantify sepsis. qSOFA triggers further evaluation; SOFA confirms organ dysfunction.

Is qSOFA used to diagnose sepsis?

No. qSOFA is a screening tool, not a diagnostic criterion. The Sepsis-3 definition requires suspected infection plus ≥ 2 point increase in SOFA score. qSOFA identifies patients who should be assessed for organ dysfunction (SOFA). Some guidelines have moved away from qSOFA due to concerns about sensitivity.

What are the limitations of qSOFA?

qSOFA has moderate specificity but low sensitivity (~50%) for sepsis, meaning it misses many septic patients. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021 guidelines recommend against using qSOFA as a sole screening tool. NEWS2 and other early warning scores may be more sensitive for identifying deteriorating patients.

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qSOFA Score

Quick SOFA — a bedside screening tool to identify patients with suspected infection who are at greater risk of poor outcomes. No labs required.

Kriterien

Altered mental status (GCS < 15)

Respiratory rate ≥ 22/min

Systolic BP ≤ 100 mmHg

qSOFA Score (0–3)

Negative screen

Interpretation—

Next step—

Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. qSOFA is a screening tool — it does not diagnose sepsis. A negative qSOFA does not exclude sepsis. Use clinical judgment and consider full SOFA scoring.

Bewertung

Altered mental status (GCS < 15): +1
Respiratory rate ≥ 22/min: +1
Systolic blood pressure ≤ 100 mmHg: +1

Interpretation

qSOFA ≥ 2: Positive screen — associated with higher in-hospital mortality and prolonged ICU stay in patients with suspected infection.
qSOFA 0–1: Negative screen — lower risk, but does not exclude sepsis.

Clinical pearls

qSOFA is intended for outside the ICU (wards, ED) to prompt closer monitoring or escalation.
It does not define sepsis — Sepsis-3 uses SOFA ≥ 2 increase with suspected infection.
Sensitivity is limited (~50–60%); a negative qSOFA should not be falsely reassuring if clinical suspicion is high.
Lactate, procalcitonin, and full SOFA provide additional information.

References

Singer M, et al. The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3). JAMA. 2016;315(8):801–810.
Seymour CW, et al. Assessment of Clinical Criteria for Sepsis. JAMA. 2016;315(8):762–774.

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What Is qSOFA?

Quick SOFA (qSOFA) is a bedside screening tool introduced with the Sepsis-3 consensus definitions (2016) to identify non-ICU patients with suspected infection who may be at risk for poor outcomes. Unlike the full SOFA score, qSOFA requires no laboratory tests — only three clinical parameters: altered mental status (GCS <15), respiratory rate ≥22/min, and systolic blood pressure ≤100 mmHg. Each criterion scores 1 point, and a qSOFA ≥2 is considered a positive screen.

When to Use qSOFA

Apply qSOFA on wards, in the emergency department, or in any non-ICU setting when infection is suspected and you want a rapid assessment of risk. It is intended as a trigger for closer monitoring, considering organ dysfunction assessment (full SOFA), and potentially escalating care. It is explicitly designed for use outside the ICU — within the ICU, the full SOFA score should be used.

Interpreting qSOFA Results

A qSOFA ≥2 is associated with a ≥3-fold increase in in-hospital mortality and prolonged ICU stay among patients with suspected infection. However, its sensitivity for identifying sepsis is limited (approximately 50–60%), meaning a negative qSOFA (score 0–1) does NOT exclude sepsis. It is a screening tool, not a diagnostic tool.

🔑 Klinische Hinweise

qSOFA is a prompt for action, not a definition of sepsis. Sepsis-3 defines sepsis as suspected infection + SOFA increase ≥2, not qSOFA ≥2.
The Surviving Sepsis Campaign (2021) recommends against using qSOFA as the sole screening tool, favoring earlier recognition through NEWS or MEWS-based systems that capture deterioration earlier.
A patient with sepsis from urinary source may present with normal mental status, normal BP, and only mild tachypnea — qSOFA 0, but still septic. Clinical judgment always supersedes screening tools.
Pair qSOFA findings with lactate measurement. Lactate >2 mmol/L with suspected infection warrants aggressive evaluation regardless of qSOFA.

Schlüsselreferenzen

Singer M, et al. The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3). JAMA. 2016;315(8):801–810.
Seymour CW, et al. Assessment of Clinical Criteria for Sepsis: For the Third International Consensus Definitions. JAMA. 2016;315(8):762–774.
Evans L, et al. Surviving Sepsis Campaign: International Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2021. Intensive Care Med. 2021;47(11):1181–1247.

Formel zuletzt überprüft: Februar 2026