Figure. Proposed Diagnostic Flow to Characterize Patients Using the New Criteria for Sepsis and Septic Shock in Children.

Sepsis diagnosis is operationalized as 2 points or more on the Phoenix Sepsis Score, and septic shock as sepsis with cardiovascular dysfunction (see the Table).

^aInstitutionally available procedures to identify deteriorating patients with infection should be followed for screening. There is a need for data-driven tools to screen children at risk of development of sepsis, which must be rigorously evaluated in different populations and contexts. The Phoenix Sepsis Score is not intended for early screening or recognition of possible sepsis and management before organ dysfunction is overt.

^bPlease refer to the Table for the Phoenix Sepsis Score.