Paterson et al repoted the Pitt Bacteremia Score (PBS) for evaluating patients with sepsis. The authors are from multiple hospitals from around the world, with the primary author at the Pittsburgh Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Parameters:
(1) body temperature in °C
(2) hypotension
(3) mechanical ventilation
(4) cardiac arrest
(5) mental status
Hypotension was present if one or more of the following is present:
(1) systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg
(2) intravenous vasopressors agents required
(3) acute drop in systolic blood pressure > 30 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure > 20 mm Hg
Parameter
Finding
Points
body temperature
<= 35°C
2
35.1 to 36°C
1
36.1 to 38.9°C
0
39 to 39.9°C
1
>= 40°C
2
hypotension
absent
0
present
2
mechanical ventilation
absent
0
present
2
cardiac arrest
no
0
yes
4
mental status
alert
0
disoriented
1
stuporous
2
comatose
4
where:
• Disorientiation would include delirium, which has many causes.
• Most of the factors are associated with multi-organ failure (MOF).
total score =
= SUM(points for all 5 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 14
• The higher the score the more severe the bacteremia.
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