Multidisciplinary approach to obstetric disseminated intravascular coagulopathy management in low-income country: A survey.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the uptake of a multidisciplinary team approach in obstetric disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) management in a low- to middle-income country.

METHODS

A cross-sectional observational study, in which a semi-structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data on the uptake by Nigerian obstetricians of the multidisciplinary team approach to obstetric DIC management.

RESULTS

A total of 171 obstetricians responded, 82 (48.0%) were consultants and 89 (52.0%) were specialist registrars. Most (165; 96.5%) practiced in tertiary healthcare facilities and the multidisciplinary team approach was the most preferred (162; 94.7%) management approach. In all, 142 (83.0%) supported the invitation of hematologists always in the management whereas 115 (67.3%) participants recommended that involvement of specialists in the treatment should be when clinical presentation was suggestive of DIC. No significant association existed between years of obstetric practice and adoption of a multidisciplinary team-based approach (χ2 = 9.590; P = 0.252).

CONCLUSION

A multidisciplinary approach is widely adopted in the management of obstetric DIC, with hematologists being a key member of the team.