How do we manage identification of eggs, sperm and embryos and prevent mix-ups?

From the time No1F was established we introduced the best possible systems.

This includes:

• ‘RI Witness’ - an electronic system where every single container of eggs, sperm and embryos are barcode labelled with your identifying data, unique to you. Every time your eggs, sperm or embryos are moved within our laboratory/clinic, the barcode is scanned. If a discrepancy occurred in any way, the lab would go into ‘shut down’ mode until any possible mix-up was ruled out or prevented.

• Two embryologists on duty at all times

• Two embryologists checking identification, manually and via RI Witness

• The doctor performing egg collection, sperm collection, embryo transfer and intrauterine insemination will also check the patient ID and the ID on the eggs, sperm and embryos.

Our system costs more than clinics that use fewer staff and do not fully utilise all steps in the RI Witness pathway.

The IVF clinics where mix-ups have occurred have not published how the mistakes occurred, except to say ‘human error’ and ‘we are rolling out RI Witness systems’. While no one can ever prevent all cases of human error, we believe we have done the very best possible by insisting on two embryologists as well as a doctor checking at all times, and having installed and fully utilised RI Witness from the very beginning of our clinic.