Table 4. Importance of premorbid conditions and aspects of the history and physical examination for the decision to refer a patient with a possible serious infection
ConditionConsidered (very) important, % (n)
Premorbid conditions
 Chronic use of immunosuppressive medication96.8 (154)
 Multimorbidity83.6 (133)
 Diabetes72.1 (114)
 Previous hospitalisation due to infection70.9 (112)
 Congestive heart failure68.5 (109)
 Age >80 years67.1 (106)
 Lack of social support66.7 (106)
 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease62.2 (99)
 Malignancy55.1 (86)
 Chronic use of antibiotics52.2 (83)
 Renal disease37.1 (59)
 Other heart or vascular disease24.5 (39)
 Alcohol abuse22.6 (36)
 Age >65 years21.4 (33)
 Psychiatric disorder11.4 (18)
History
 Unable to stand89.3 (142)
 Insufficient effect of previous antibiotic treatment87.4 (139)
 Rapid progression of illness83.7 (133)
 Decreased urinary output82.3 (131)
 Dyspnoea79.2 (126)
 Rigors71.1 (113)
 Patient feels very ill45.3 (71)
 Decreased oral intake28.4 (45)
Physical examination
 Altered mental statusa 98.7 (157)
 Systolic blood pressure <100 mmHga 93.7 (148)
 Respiratory rate ≥22/minutea,b 86.1 (136)
 Sweating or clammy skin51.3 (81)
 Heart rate >90/minuteb 47.8 (75)
 Body temperature <36°Cb 31.0 (49)
 Body temperature >38°Cb 28.3 (45)
  • aqSOFA criterium. bSIRS criterium (cut-off point for respiratory rate in SIRS criteria is >20 /minute).