Stratify CAP severity using CURB-65 to guide antibiotic selection and admission decision. Score 0-1: home; 2: hospital; 3-5: ICU consideration.
Outpatient therapy appropriate
CURB-65 predicts 30-day mortality in community-acquired pneumonia and guides the site of care. Each criterion present adds one point: new confusion, urea above 7 mmol/L, respiratory rate of 30 or more, systolic blood pressure below 90 mmHg or diastolic at or below 60 mmHg, and age 65 or older. A score of 0–1 is low risk and can usually be managed as an outpatient; a score of 2 warrants a short inpatient stay or supervised outpatient care; a score of 3 or more indicates severe pneumonia requiring hospitalization, with ICU strongly recommended at scores of 4–5.
The score is a decision aid, not a substitute for clinical judgment. Always combine it with the full clinical picture, oxygen saturation, and local protocols.
Stratify CAP severity using CURB-65 to guide antibiotic selection and admission decision. Score 0-1: home; 2: hospital; 3-5: ICU consideration
Each component has a specific meaning:
Note: Interpret the curb-65 result against the thresholds and context described above.
Enter the CURB-65 for the scenario you are assessing. Stratify CAP severity using CURB-65 to guide antibiotic selection and admission decision. Score 0-1: home; 2: hospital; 3-5: ICU consideration. Use the curb-65 result to inform your calculation.