Table 1.

Consensus conference group definitions of the stages of sepsis [1]

I. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)

Two or more of the following:

Temperature of more than 38°C or less than 36°C

Heart rate of more than 90/min

Respiratory rate of more than 20/min

White blood cell count of more than 12,000/mm3 or less than 4000/mm3 or more than 10% immature forms (bands)

II. Sepsis

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome plus a culture-documented infection

III. Severe sepsis

Sepsis plus organ dysfunction, hypotension, or hypoperfusion (including but not limited to lactic acidosis, oliguria, or acute alteration in mental status)

IV. Septic shock

Hypotension (despite fluid resuscitation) plus hypoperfusion abnormalities