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About This Calculator
Stratify community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) severity, 30-day mortality risk, and outpatient vs inpatient hospitalization decisions using the validated CURB-65 criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the CURB-65 acronym stand for?
CURB-65 stands for: Confusion (new mental status change), Urea (BUN > 19 mg/dL), Respiratory rate (>= 30 breaths/min), Blood pressure (Systolic < 90 mmHg or Diastolic <= 60 mmHg), and Age >= 65 years.
How does CURB-65 guide pneumonia admission decisions?
Scores of 0 or 1 indicate low mortality (<3%) suitable for outpatient recovery at home. A score of 2 warrants observation or a short inpatient stay. A score of 3 or higher indicates severe pneumonia requiring inpatient hospitalization, with scores of 4 or 5 prompting immediate ICU evaluation.
What is the CRB-65 variant?
CRB-65 omits the blood test for Urea, allowing primary care and urgent care clinics to rapidly risk-stratify pneumonia patients on physical exam and vitals alone.
Does CURB-65 replace clinical judgment?
No. Social factors (such as lack of home support, cognitive decline, inability to take oral medications) and severe hypoxemia (pulse oximetry < 90%) dictate hospital admission regardless of a low CURB-65 score.