Table 1 Consensus conference group definitions of the stages of sepsis [1]

I. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)

   Two or more of the following:

   Temperature of more than 38°C or less than 36°C

   Heart rate of more than 90/min

   Respiratory rate of more than 20/min

   White blood cell count of more than 12,000/mm³ or less than 4000/mm³ or more than 10% immature forms (bands)

II. Sepsis

   Systemic inflammatory response syndrome plus a culture-documented infection

III. Severe sepsis

   Sepsis plus organ dysfunction, hypotension, or hypoperfusion (including but not limited to lactic acidosis, oliguria, or acute alteration in mental status)

IV. Septic shock

   Hypotension (despite fluid resuscitation) plus hypoperfusion abnormalities