Critical Care Scores

Pneumonia Severity Score (CURB-65) Calculator

Predicts 30-day mortality in community-acquired pneumonia to guide the place of care.

Reviewed by Alex G, BSN, RN, CEN, CCRN, CMC, NREMT-P · From the Reference tab of the app

Turn on JavaScript to use this calculator, or open it in the web app.

Formula

1 point each:
C Confusion: new disorientation in person, place or time, or abbreviated mental test score ≤8
U Urea >7 mmol/L (BUN >19 mg/dL)
R Respiratory rate ≥30/min
B Systolic BP <90 mm Hg or diastolic ≤60 mm Hg
65 Age ≥65 years
Total 0–5

How it is used

• 0–1 low risk (mortality under 3%), consider home-based care; 2 intermediate (3–15%), consider hospital-based care; 3–5 high (over 15%), consider intensive care assessment (NICE 2014).
• ATS/IDSA 2019 prefers the Pneumonia Severity Index over CURB-65 for deciding on admission, and the 2007 IDSA/ATS severe CAP criteria with clinical judgment for ICU decisions.
• Derived in adults presenting to hospital with community-acquired pneumonia in the UK, New Zealand and the Netherlands (Lim 2003); it leaves out oxygenation, comorbidities and social needs, and is not for hospital-acquired pneumonia.

Key points

• Hypoxemia, sepsis or inability to take oral treatment needs hospital care even with a low score.

Same formula as the app. Open it in the web app.

Related one-pagers

• Sepsis and Septic Shock Bundle

Related calculators

• National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2)
• Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA)

For education and exam preparation only. Follow your institution’s protocols. For education and exam preparation only. Verify results independently and follow your institution’s protocols. Not a substitute for clinical judgment.