Victorian regulator imposes conditions on Monash IVF after embryo bungles
The Victorian Health Regulator has imposed conditions on Monash IVF's registration. (AAP image: James Ross)
In short:
The Victorian Health Regulator has imposed conditions on Monash IVF's registration following highly-publicised embryo mix-ups.
It will have to be more rigorous in checking the biological origin of embryos it implants and strengthen staff capability.
What's next?
Monash IVF says it has already implemented the conditions.
Monash IVF will have a greater obligation to check the biological origin of embryos following highly-publicised mix-ups, under conditions imposed by Victoria's health regulator.
The Victorian Health Regulator has announced it is imposing conditions on Monash IVF's registration following the bungles in Brisbane and Melbourne.
Just two months later it was revealed Monash IVF incorrectly transferred the wrong embryo into a patient in Melbourne.
The bungle in Victoria prompted an investigation by the Victorian Health Regulator, which conducted site inspections at Monash IVF facilities and spoke with staff.
The regulator said it has now imposed conditions on Monash IVF's registration to ensure there was no repeat.
"The conditions focus on matters such as ensuring the integrity and traceability of genetic material through comprehensive consent and documentation processes, rigorous verification and patient checks, accurate recording in management systems, and strengthened staff capability," the regulator said.
Monash IVF has apologised for embryo mix-ups in Brisbane and Melbourne. (Pixabay, DrKontogianniIVF)
The regulator said the conditions would remain in place until it was "satisfied the risks identified, as the result of its investigations into the incident, are effectively mitigated and Monash IVF has demonstrated sustained compliance".
In a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), Monash IVF said the conditions imposed by the regulator have already been implemented.
"The Company does not expect that the Conditions will have a material impact on its existing operations," Monash IVF said in the statement.
"The Company will continue to prioritise the care and safety of its patients and will keep ASX informed of any material developments in accordance with its disclosure obligations."
Monash IVF launched an independent review into the embryo mix-ups, engaging barrister Fiona McLeod to look into the errors.
The review concluded the Brisbane incident was the result of human error.
It found the Melbourne incident resulted from a range of factors, including human error at multiple stages and IT system limitations "in the very limited circumstances of an embryo transfer to a partner".
Monash IVF has resisted calls to publicly release the review, saying it would be kept secret to "protect the privacy of the affected patients".