Interpretation
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Infection + ΔSOFA ≥ 2 | Sepsis (≈ 10% in-hospital mortality) |
| Sepsis + vasopressors for MAP ≥ 65 + lactate > 2 | Septic shock (> 40% mortality) |
Formula
Sepsis = suspected/documented infection AND acute ΔSOFA ≥ 2 (baseline assumed 0 if no known organ dysfunction). Septic shock = sepsis AND vasopressors to keep MAP ≥ 65 mmHg AND lactate > 2 mmol/L (18 mg/dL) despite adequate volume resuscitation.
Clinical pearls
- Use the SOFA calculator for the score itself; baseline SOFA is assumed to be zero unless pre-existing organ dysfunction is known.
- qSOFA is a bedside prompt, not a diagnostic criterion; the 2021 Surviving Sepsis guideline advises against using qSOFA alone as a screening tool.
- Do not wait for SOFA to be complete before giving antibiotics and fluids when sepsis is suspected.
Examples
sepsis-3 pneumonia sofa increase 3septic shock? uti, delta sofa 6, on norepinephrine, lactate 4.2suspected infection with sofa change 1, is this sepsis
FAQ
What is the Sepsis-3 definition?
Life-threatening organ dysfunction from a dysregulated host response to infection, operationalized as an acute SOFA increase of 2 or more points with suspected infection.
What defines septic shock?
Sepsis with vasopressors needed to maintain MAP ≥ 65 mmHg and lactate > 2 mmol/L despite adequate fluid resuscitation.