RAPID Sepsis Assessment

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