Clinical tool
CURB-65
Pneumonia severity and site-of-care guide.
Score
0/ 5
Low severity
Around 1.5% 30-day mortality. Usually suitable for outpatient management with oral antibiotics, if social circumstances allow.
CURB-65 assesses mortality risk, not the need for antibiotics, and it does not replace clinical judgement about the site of care. Social circumstances, comorbidity, hypoxia and the ability to take oral medication all matter and none appear in the score. It also performs less well in younger patients, where a low score can accompany serious illness, and in the immunocompromised. CRB-65 omits urea for use where bloods are not available.
For practising medics only. Clinical tools support judgement, they do not replace it. Always verify results against current guidelines and the patient in front of you.