Over 16s (not pregnant or recently pregnant): evaluating risk and managing suspected sepsis

People have the right to be involved in discussions and make informed decisions about their care, as described in NICE's information on making decisions about your care.

Making decisions using NICE guidelines explains how we use words to show the strength (or certainty) of our recommendations, and has information about prescribing medicines (including off-label use), professional guidelines, standards and laws (including on consent and mental capacity), and safeguarding.

1.11 Evaluating risk level

In community and custodial settings

1.11.2

Recognise that people aged 16 or over with suspected sepsis in the community and in custodial settings are at:

1.11.3

If people aged 16 or over with suspected sepsis in the community and in custodial settings do not meet any high or moderate to high risk criteria, see them as being at low risk of severe illness or death from sepsis. [2016, amended 2024]

In acute hospital settings, acute mental health settings and ambulances

1.11.4

In people aged 16 or over, grade risk of severe illness or death from sepsis using the person's:

  • history

  • physical examination results (especially symptoms and signs of infection – in line with the recommendations on when to suspect sepsis) and

  • NEWS2 score.

    Interpret the NEWS2 scores within the context of the persons' underlying physiology and comorbidities. [2024]

1.11.5

When evaluating the risk of severe illness or death from sepsis in people aged 16 or over with suspected or confirmed infection, use clinical judgement to interpret the NEWS2 score and recognise that:

  • a score of 7 or more suggests high risk of severe illness or death from sepsis

  • a score of 5 or 6 suggests a moderate risk of severe illness or death from sepsis

  • a score of 1 to 4 suggests a low risk of severe illness or death from sepsis

  • a score of 0 suggests a very low risk of severe illness or death from sepsis

  • if a single parameter contributes 3 points to their NEWS2 score, request a high-priority review by a clinician with core competencies in the care of acutely ill patients (FY2 or above), for a definite decision on the person's level of risk of severe illness or death from sepsis. [2024]

1.11.6

Consider evaluating the person's risk of severe illness or death from sepsis as being higher than suggested by their NEWS2 score alone if any of the following is present:

  • mottled or ashen appearance

  • non-blanching petechial or purpuric rash

  • cyanosis of skin, lips or tongue. [2024]

1.11.7

Consider evaluating the person's risk of severe illness or death from sepsis as being higher than suggested by their NEWS2 score alone if there is cause for concern because of deterioration or lack of improvement of the person's condition since:

  • any previous NEWS2 score was calculated

  • any interventions have taken place.

    This should include taking into account any NEWS2 score calculated or intervention carried out before initial assessment in the emergency department. [2024]

For a short explanation of why the committee made the 2024 recommendations and how they might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on evaluating risk level in people with suspected sepsis.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review A: stratifying risk of severe illness or death from sepsis.

When to recalculate a NEWS2 score

1.11.8

Recalculate the NEWS2 score and re-evaluate risk of sepsis periodically, in line with the AoMRC statement on the initial antimicrobial treatment of sepsis (2022):

  • every 30 minutes, for those at high risk of severe illness or death from sepsis

  • every hour, for those at moderate risk of severe illness or death from sepsis

  • every 4 to 6 hours, for those at low risk of severe illness or death from sepsis

  • when standard observations are carried out, in line with local protocol, for those at very low risk of severe illness or death from sepsis. [2024]

1.11.9

If there is deterioration or an unexpected change in the person's condition, recalculate the NEWS2 score and re-evaluate their risk of sepsis. [2024]

For a short explanation of why the committee made the 2024 recommendations and how they might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on evaluating risk level in people with suspected sepsis.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review A: stratifying risk of severe illness or death from sepsis.

1.12 Managing suspected sepsis outside acute hospital settings

When to transfer immediately to an acute hospital setting

In community and custodial settings
1.12.1

If they meet any high risk criteria, refer people aged 16 or over with suspected sepsis in the community and in custodial settings for emergency medical care (see table 3: criteria for stratification of risk from sepsis in people aged 16 or over who are in the community or in a custodial setting).

Use the most appropriate means of transport (usually 999 ambulance).

Emergency care requires facilities for resuscitation to be available and, depending on local services, may be an emergency department or medical admissions unit. [2016, amended 2024]

1.12.2

Pre-alert secondary care (through GP or ambulance service) when any high risk criteria are met in a person aged 16 or over with suspected sepsis in the community or in a custodial setting and transfer them immediately. [2016, amended 2024]

In acute mental health settings
1.12.3

For people at high risk of severe illness or death from sepsis who are in an acute mental health setting, follow local emergency protocols on treatment and ambulance transfer. [2024]

For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation and how it might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on when to transfer immediately: people in mental health settings.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review C: early management of suspected sepsis (except antibiotic therapy) in the NEWS2 population, in acute hospital settings.

Transfer by ambulance for people with consecutive NEWS2 scores of 5 or above
1.12.4

Ambulance crews should consider a time-critical transfer and pre-alerting the hospital for people aged 16 or over with suspected or confirmed infection who either have consecutive NEWS2 scores of 5 or above or show cause for significant clinical concern. [2024]

1.12.5

When deciding whether a time-critical transfer and pre-alerting the hospital is needed for someone aged 16 or over with consecutive NEWS2 scores of 5 or above and suspected or confirmed infection, take into account:

  • local guidelines and protocols in relation to clinician scope of practice

  • agreements on transfer to hospital

  • advance care planning

  • end of life care planning. [2024]

For a short explanation of why the committee made the 2024 recommendations and how they might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on transfer by ambulance for people with consecutive NEWS2 scores of 5 or above.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review B: managing and treating suspected sepsis in acute hospital settings; antibiotic treatment in people with suspected sepsis.

Managing the condition while awaiting transfer

1.12.6

In ambulances and acute hospital settings, on taking over care for someone whose risk of severe illness or death from sepsis has originally been evaluated in the community or in a custodial setting, evaluate their risk of severe illness or death from sepsis using NEWS2. [2024]

1.12.8

In remote and rural locations where combined transfer and handover times to emergency department are greater than 1 hour:

For a short explanation of why the committee made the 2024 recommendations and how they might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on managing suspected sepsis in acute hospital settings: when to count time from (time zero).

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review B: managing and treating suspected sepsis in acute hospital settings; antibiotic treatment in people with suspected sepsis.

If immediate transfer is not required

In community or custodial settings
1.12.9

In the community and in custodial settings, assess people aged 16 or over with suspected sepsis who meet any moderate to high risk criteria (as per table 3: criteria for stratification of risk from sepsis in people aged 16 or over who are in the community or in a custodial setting) to:

  • make a definitive diagnosis of their condition

  • decide whether their condition can be treated safely outside hospital.

    If a definitive diagnosis is not reached or the person's condition cannot be treated safely outside an acute hospital setting, refer them urgently for emergency care. [2016, amended 2024]

In acute mental health settings
1.12.12

If a definitive diagnosis is not reached or the person's condition cannot be treated safely outside an acute hospital setting, follow local emergency protocols on treatment and ambulance transfer. [2016, amended 2024]

For a short explanation of why the committee made the 2024 recommendations and how they might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on managing suspected sepsis outside acute hospital settings: if immediate transfer is not required.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review B: managing and treating suspected sepsis in acute hospital settings; antibiotic treatment in people with suspected sepsis.

1.13 Managing suspected sepsis in acute hospital settings

Initial investigations to find the source of infection

High risk of severe illness or death from sepsis

In January 2024, we updated the recommendations in this section to incorporate use of NEWS2.

We did not review the evidence on other aspects of management. Evidence for tests and interventions recommended in this section was last reviewed in 2016. We are currently reviewing the evidence and will consider making new recommendations or updating existing recommendations on:

  • rapid antigen testing

  • indicators of organ hypoperfusion

  • intravenous fluid therapy

  • vasopressors.

This update is expected to publish in 2025. See the update page for more information.

A person is at high risk of severe illness or death from sepsis if they have suspected or confirmed infection and a NEWS2 score of 7 or above.

A person is also at high risk of severe illness or death from sepsis if they have suspected or confirmed infection, a NEWS2 score below 7, and:

1.13.2

For people aged 16 or over who are at high risk of severe illness or death from sepsis:

  • arrange for a clinician with core competencies in the care of acutely ill patients (FY2 level or above) to urgently assess the person's condition and think about alternative diagnoses to sepsis

  • carry out a venous blood test, including for:

    • blood gas, including glucose and lactate measurement

    • blood culture

    • full blood count

    • C-reactive protein

    • urea and electrolytes

    • creatinine

    • liver function tests

    • a clotting screen

  • give antibiotics in line with recommendation 1.13.3 and the recommendations on choice of antibiotic therapy

  • refer to the senior clinical decision maker as soon as possible

  • use clinical judgement to decide whether to discuss with a consultant. [2024]

Antibiotics
1.13.3

Give people aged 16 or over who are at high risk of severe illness or death from sepsis broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic treatment, within 1 hour of calculating the person's NEWS2 score on initial assessment in the emergency department or on ward deterioration. Only give antibiotics if they have not been given before for this episode of sepsis (see recommendations 1.12.7 and 1.12.8 on managing the condition while awaiting transfer).

Also see the recommendations on finding and controlling the source of infection and choice of antibiotic therapy. [2024]

For a short explanation of why the committee made the 2024 recommendation and how it might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on managing suspected sepsis: type and timing of antibiotics.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review B: managing and treating suspected sepsis in acute hospital settings; antibiotic treatment in people with suspected sepsis.

Intravenous fluids
1.13.4

For people aged 16 or over with a high risk of severe illness or death from sepsis and either lactate over 2 mmol/litre or systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg, give intravenous fluid bolus without delay (within 1 hour of identifying that they are at high risk) in line with recommendations on intravenous fluids for people with suspected sepsis. [2024]

Monitoring and escalation

For a short explanation of why the committee made the 2024 recommendations and how they might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on managing suspected sepsis in acute hospital settings: high and moderate risk of severe illness or death from sepsis.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review C: early management of suspected sepsis (except antibiotic therapy) in the NEWS2 population, in acute hospital settings.

Moderate risk of severe illness or death from sepsis

A person is at moderate risk of severe illness or death from sepsis if they have suspected or confirmed infection and a NEWS2 score of 5 or 6.

A person is also at moderate risk of severe illness or death from sepsis if they have suspected or confirmed infection, a NEWS2 score below 5, and:

1.13.8

For people aged 16 or over with moderate risk of severe illness or death from sepsis:

  • carry out a venous blood test, including for:

    • blood gas, including glucose and lactate measurement

    • blood culture

    • full blood count

    • C-reactive protein

    • urea and electrolytes

    • creatinine

    • liver function tests

    • a clotting screen

  • arrange for a clinician with core competencies in the care of acutely ill patients (FY2 level or above) to review the person's condition and venous lactate results within 1 hour of the person being assessed as at moderate risk. [2024]

For a short explanation of why the committee made the 2024 recommendation and how it might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on managing suspected sepsis in acute hospital settings: high and moderate risk of severe illness or death from sepsis.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review C: early management of suspected sepsis (except antibiotic therapy) in the NEWS2 population, in acute hospital settings.

1.13.9

For people at moderate risk of severe illness or death from sepsis, a clinician with core competencies in the care of acutely ill patients (FY2 level or above) should consider:

1.13.10

For someone with a NEWS2 score of 5 or 6 and a single parameter contributing 3 points to their total NEWS2 score, use clinical judgement to determine the likely cause of the 3 points in one parameter. If the likely cause is:

  • the current infection, manage as high risk and give broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment in line with recommendation 1.13.3

  • something else (such as a pre-existing condition), manage as moderate risk and follow recommendation 1.13.9. [2024]

For a short explanation of why the committee made the 2024 recommendations and how they might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on managing suspected sepsis: type and timing of antibiotics.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review B: managing and treating suspected sepsis in acute hospital settings; antibiotic treatment in people with suspected sepsis.

1.13.11

For people aged 16 or over at moderate risk of severe illness or death from sepsis:

  • recalculate the NEWS2 score periodically, in line with the recommendations on when to recalculate a NEWS2 score

  • if there is deterioration or no improvement, escalate care to a clinician with core competencies in the care of acutely ill patients (FY2 level or above). [2024]

1.13.12

For people aged 16 or over with a moderate risk of severe illness or death from sepsis and either lactate over 2 mmol/litre or evidence of acute kidney injury, treat their condition as if they were at high risk of severe illness or death from sepsis.

For definition of acute kidney injury, see NICE's guideline on acute kidney injury. [2024]

For a short explanation of why the committee made the 2024 recommendations and how they might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on managing suspected sepsis in acute hospital settings: high and moderate risk of severe illness or death from sepsis.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review C: early management of suspected sepsis (except antibiotic therapy) in the NEWS2 population, in acute hospital settings.

Low risk of severe illness or death from sepsis

A person is at low risk of severe illness or death from sepsis if they have suspected or confirmed infection and a NEWS2 score of 1 to 4 (see recommendation 1.11.4 on evaluating risk of severe illness or death from sepsis) or a NEWS2 score of 0 and cause for clinical concern (see recommendations 1.11.6 and 1.11.7 on taking causes for clinical concern into account when evaluating risk of severe illness or death from sepsis).

1.13.13

For people aged 16 or over at low risk of severe illness or death from sepsis:

  • arrange for registered health practitioner review within 1 hour of the person being assessed as at low risk

  • perform blood tests if indicated. [2024]

For a short explanation of why the committee made the 2024 recommendation and how it might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on low or very low risk of severe illness or death from sepsis.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review C: early management of suspected sepsis (except antibiotic therapy) in the NEWS2 population, in acute hospital settings.

1.13.14

For people at low risk of severe illness or death from sepsis, request assessment by a clinician with core competencies in the care of acutely ill patients (FY2 level or above) for them to consider:

  • deferring administration of a broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment for up to 6 hours after calculating the person's first NEWS2 score on initial assessment in the emergency department or on ward deterioration and

  • using this time to gather information for a more specific diagnosis (see recommendations on finding and controlling the source of infection and choice of antibiotic therapy).

    Once a decision is made to give antibiotics, do not delay administration any further. [2024]

1.13.15

For someone with a NEWS2 score of 3 or 4 and a single parameter contributing 3 points to their total NEWS2 score, use clinical judgement to determine the likely cause of the 3 points in one parameter. If the likely cause is:

  • the current infection, manage as moderate or high risk and:

  • something else (such as a pre-existing condition), manage as low risk and follow recommendation 1.13.14. [2024]

For a short explanation of why the committee made the 2024 recommendations and how they might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on managing suspected sepsis: type and timing of antibiotics.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review B: managing and treating suspected sepsis in acute hospital settings; antibiotic treatment in people with suspected sepsis.

1.13.16

For people aged 16 or over at low risk of severe illness or death from sepsis:

  • recalculate the NEWS2 score periodically, in line with the recommendations on when to recalculate a NEWS2 score

  • if there is deterioration or no improvement, escalate care to a clinician with core competencies in the care of acutely ill patients (FY2 level or above). [2024]

For a short explanation of why the committee made the 2024 recommendations and how they might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on low or very low risk of severe illness or death from sepsis.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review C: early management of suspected sepsis (except antibiotic therapy) in the NEWS2 population, in acute hospital settings.

Very low risk of severe illness or death from sepsis

A person is at very low risk of severe illness or death from sepsis if they have suspected or confirmed infection and a NEWS2 score of 0 (see recommendation 1.11.4 on evaluating risk of severe illness or death from sepsis).

1.13.17

For people who are at very low risk of severe illness or death from sepsis:

For a short explanation of why the committee made the 2024 recommendation and how it might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on low or very low risk of severe illness or death from sepsis.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review C: early management of suspected sepsis (except antibiotic therapy) in the NEWS2 population, in acute hospital settings.

Discharge

For a short explanation of why the committee made the 2024 recommendation and how it might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on managing suspected sepsis in acute hospital settings: discharge.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review C: early management of suspected sepsis (except antibiotic therapy) in the NEWS2 population, in acute hospital settings.