Table 1.

Diagnostic criteria for sepsis

A documented or suspected pathogen plus two or more of the following SIRS abnormalities:

1. Temperature >38.5°C or <35°C

2. Heart rate >90 beats/min

3. Respiratory rate >20 breaths/min or PaC02 <32 mmHg

4. WBC >12,000 cells/mm3, or <4000 cells/mm3, or >10% immature (band) forms

SIRS, systemic inflammatory response syndrome; WBC, white blood cell.