2025, issue 2

When to suspect sepsis: analysing members' cases

ByDr Kathryn Leask

Published18 August 2025

What are the key trends in claims involving sepsis? We examine members' cases to better understand this potentially devastating diagnosis.

A delayed or missed diagnosis of sepsis was the main reason for concerns being raised by patients or their families.

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If you are concerned about infection and sepsis, which may not be immediately obvious, tailor your investigations to finding the source.

Dr Kathryn Leask

Medico-legal adviser BSc (Hons) MBChB (Hons) LLB MA MRCPCH FFFLM RCPathME DMedEth

Kathryn has been a medico-legal adviser with the MDU since 2007 and is a team leader, trainer and mentor in the medical advisory department. Before joining the MDU, she worked in paediatrics gaining her MRCPCH in 2002 and holds a CCT in clinical genetics. She has an MA in Healthcare Ethics and Law, a Bachelor of Law and a Professional Doctorate in Medical Ethics. She is also a fellow of the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine and has previously been an examiner and deputy chief examiner for the faculty. Kathryn is currently a member of the faculty’s training and education subcommittee and a member of the Royal College of Pathologists (medical examiner).