Sepsis should be defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection.
-Organ dysfunction can be represented by an increase in the Sequential [Sepsis-related] Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score of 2 points or more, which is associated with an in-hospital mortality greater than 10%.
Septic shock should be defined as a subset of sepsis in which particularly profound circulatory, cellular, and metabolic abnormalities are associated with a greater risk of mortality than with sepsis alone. Septic shock should be documented when a patient displays:
-Vasopressor requirement to maintain a mean arterial pressure of 65 mm Hg or greater
AND
-Serum lactate level greater than 2 mmol/L (>18 mg/dL) in the absence of hypovolemia.
Bedside Quick SOFA (qSOFA): at least 2 of the following clinical criteria
1. Respiratory rate of 22/min or greater
2. Altered mentation
3. Systolic blood pressure of 100 mm Hg or less.
Download the complete tip, Sepsis-3.