The RAPID Sepsis Assessment guidelines below are used at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland and are provided only as a reference. They are based on the International Pediatric Sepsis Consensus Conference: Definitions for sepsis and organ dysfunction in pediatrics Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, 2005 Vol. 6, No. 1.

Step 1

Two of the following (one must be TEMP or WBC)

  • Temp: > 38.5 or < 36
  • WBC: see table below
  • RR: see table below
  • HR: see table below

If Yes = SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome)

Step 2

Infection suspected?

If Yes = Sepsis

Step 3

End organ dysfunction?

  • Lethargy/irritability/altered mental status (not just "cranky") or
  • Poor perfusion (CRT > 3 secs) or
  • Decreased urine output (< 0.5 ml/kg/hr) or
  • Any bilateral infiltrates on CXR + need for oxygen

If Yes = Severe sepsis

  • Call MD (attending physician or PICU attending or fellow) immediately
  • Consider sending labs and starting severe sepsis guideline

Step 4

Hypotension?

If Yes = Severe shock

  • Start severe sepsis guideline immediately

Age Group
Tachycardia Bradycardia Respiratory Rate WBC Systolic BP
0 day – 1 wk > 180 < 100 > 50 > 34 < 65
1 wk – 1mo
> 180 < 100 > 40 > 19.5 or < 5 < 75
1 mo – 24 mo
> 180 < 90 > 34 > 17.5 or < 5 < 100
2 – 5 yrs
> 140 n/a > 22 > 15.5 or < 6 < 94
6 – 12 yrs
> 130 n/a > 18 > 13.5 or < 4.5 < 105
13 – < 18 yrs
> 110 n/a > 14 > 11 or < 4.5 < 117