What does CURB-65 stand for?

CURB-65 is an acronym for its five one-point criteria: Confusion (new disorientation), Urea greater than 7 mmol/L (about 19 mg/dL BUN), Respiratory rate of 30 or more, Blood pressure low (systolic under 90 or diastolic 60 or below), and age 65 or over.

How is the CURB-65 score interpreted?

A score of 0–1 suggests low mortality and possible outpatient care; 2 suggests a short inpatient stay or supervised outpatient management; and 3–5 indicates severe pneumonia warranting hospital admission with assessment for intensive care.

What is CRB-65 and how does it differ?

CRB-65 drops the urea criterion so it can be used without blood tests, for example in primary care or at the bedside. It scores 0–4. CURB-65 is preferred in hospital where a urea result is available.

Does a low CURB-65 mean it is safe to discharge?

The score is a guide, not a rule. Oxygen saturation, comorbidities, social circumstances, and the ability to take oral antibiotics must also be considered. A low score with significant hypoxia or frailty may still warrant admission.

Is my data stored anywhere?

No. The calculation runs entirely in your browser and nothing you enter is transmitted or saved on any server.

CURB-65 Pneumonia Severity Score

The CURB-65 score helps clinicians decide whether a patient with community-acquired pneumonia can be managed at home or needs hospital — and how aggressively. It uses five quick, objective criteria, each worth one point.

How it works

One point is added for each criterion that is present, for a total from 0 to 5:

C — new mental Confusion.
U — blood Urea greater than 7 mmol/L (roughly 19 mg/dL of BUN).
R — Respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute or more.
B — low Blood pressure: systolic below 90 mmHg or diastolic of 60 mmHg or below.
65 — age 65 years or over.

The total maps to a recommended management band and an approximate 30-day mortality:

0–1 — low risk (~1.5%): consider home treatment.
2 — intermediate risk (~9%): short inpatient stay or closely supervised outpatient care.
3–5 — high risk (~22%): admit; assess for intensive care, especially at 4–5.

Example and notes

A 70-year-old (1) with a respiratory rate of 32 (1) and a systolic of 85 mmHg (1), but no confusion and a normal urea, scores 3 — high risk, admit.

CURB-65 is a decision aid, not a substitute for judgement. Hypoxia, comorbidity, and social factors can shift the decision either way. Where a urea result is not available, the related CRB-65 (0–4) can be used at the bedside.