Sivayoham et al summarized red flags for the diagnosis of sepsis and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). The authors are from St. George's University Hospitals NHS Trust and Humanitas University.
Patient selection: findings on arrival at the Emergency Department
Parameter
Sepsis
SIRS
health status
unwell within 6 weeks of chemotherapy
NA
respiratory rate
> 25 breaths per minute
21 to 25 breaths per minute
heart rate
> 130 beats per minute
91 to 130 beats per minute
systolic blood pressure or mean arterial pressure
< 90 mm Hg SBP; < 65 mm Hg MAP
NA
mental status
reduced alertness
new confusion
oxygenation
new requirement for oxygen to maintain oxygen saturation > 90%
NA
temperature in °C
<= 35°
35.1 to 35.9°C or > 38°C
rash
non-blanching rash
WBC count
NA
< 4 or >12 *10^9/L
blood glucose
NA
> 7.7 mmol/L in nondiabetic
The diagnosis of sepsis should be suspected if 1 or more of the sepsis parameters are present.
The diagnosis of SIRS should be suspected if 2 or more of the SIRS parameters are present.
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