Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) is a complex coagulopathy taught in pathology and hematology modules at Zambian medical schools and colleges. This tertiary topic covers pathophysiology, laboratory diagnosis (including platelet count, fibrinogen, D-dimer, PT/APTT), and management of underlying triggers such as sepsis, trauma, or malignancy. Students learn to differentiate DIC from other bleeding disorders, administer blood products, and monitor for multiorgan failure. The material is essential for exams in clinical pathology, internal medicine, and intensive care, and prepares Zambian learners for hospital practice where sepsis and obstetric complications are common. Understanding DIC enhances diagnostic accuracy and interventional timing, directly improving patient survival in critical care settings across Zambia’s tertiary health facilities.