Table 1

Infectious Diseases Society of America/American Thoracic Society guidelines for intensive care unit admission

Major criteria

Minor criteria (at least three of these)


Invasive mechanical ventilation

Respiratory rate ≥30 breaths/minute

Septic shock with the need for vasopressors

PaO2/FiO2 ratio ≤ 250

Multilobar infiltrates

New onset confusion/disorientation

Uremia (BUN level ≥20 mg/dl)

Leukopenia (WBC count <4,000 cells/mm3)

Thrombocytopenia (platelets <100,000 cells/mm3)

Hypothermia (core temperature <36°C)

Hypotension requiring aggressive fluid resuscitation


BUN, blood urea nitrogen; FiO2, fraction of inspired oxygen; PaO2, arterial oxygen tension; WBC, white blood cell.

Rello Critical Care 2008 12(Suppl 6):S2   doi:10.1186/cc7025