Patient Identity and safety
Identity of patients and embryos is a critical matter in a reproductive clinic. We take this responsibility very seriously. There are multiple layers of cross checking to avoid mistakes when dealing with gametes and embryos.
All materials which come in contact with gametes or embryos will be labeled with patient names as well as a color coding system which assigns unique codes to each patient.
Working with only one persons gametes or embryos at one time is another safety measure. A witness process complements the identity verification.
The final verification process involves confirmation of identity with patients just prior to the transfer of embryos or gametes.
While this multi-step process is complex and redundant, we view it as absolutely essential.
Procedures
During any procedure involving gametes or embryos there are written identifiers as well as a witnessing process. Examples of procedures that involve witnesses would include inseminations, donor inseminations, egg manipulation, ICSI, and embryo transfers. Procedure forms, patient identifiers, and isolation of materials are examples of the things the witness is responsible for watching.
Staff
Assembling the right team is the most important and fundamental part of running a good laboratory We are fortunate in having one of the most highly trained teams in the country and we pride ourselves on our honesty, diligence and thoroughness.
Lab Safety
Each patient is given a unique color code which is included along with the patient name on everything that comes into contact with the gametes or embryos. All material is maintained in containment trays that are unique to each patient. Embryos are housed in incubators that have chambers that can be dedicated to each patient. Access to the lab is strictly limited.
Building Safety
The building is also equiped with a monitored security and fire alarm system. Locked doors on the embryology laboratory further limit access to the lab. In the event of a power failure we have a generator on an automatic transfer switch which is capable of maintaining the lab for an extended period of time without intervention which means uninterrupted power can be supplied until the regular electrical service can be restored.
