What are the key aspects of an IVF Laboratory?

Staffing and Direction

• Quality Management
• Laboratory Safety
• Identification of Patients
• Traceability of their Reproductive Cells
• Consumables
• Handling of Biological Materials
• Oocyte Retrieval
• Sperm Preparation
• Insemination of Oocytes
• Scoring of Fertilization
• Embryo culture and transfer
• Cryopreservation
• Emergency Plan
• Methodology

Staffing and Direction

The Staff is one of the most crucial components of an IVF lab. The number of cycles completed annually should be reflected in the number of laboratory employees. Clinics that do up to 150 retrievals and/or cryopreservation cycles annually should, as a rule, always have at least two certified clinical embryologists on staff. This starting figure will rise in proportion to the number of treatments as well as the intricacy of the methods, processes, and assignments performed in the lab.

Responsibilities of a Laboratory Director:

• To achieve the highest standards in clinical IVF, the best materials and techniques must be chosen and put into practice.
• Equipment and facilities for laboratories that are suitable and safe in accordance with national and/or European legislation.
• A quality management system's (QMS) implementation
• A thorough orientation and introduction program for all new hires; management of laboratory staff training and ongoing scientific and biomedical education; implementation and review of key performance indicators (KPIs) for all laboratory procedures for QCQA purposes; and

- Implementing laboratory risk management and prevention policy

Clinical data and adverse event reporting in compliance with national and/or European standards; study project approval by appropriate authorities

Responsibilities of Laboratory supervisors:

• Efficient organization of the daily work assigned to their area of responsibility
• Effective communication with laboratory staff and clinical counterparts
• Continuous improvement in any other way possible
• Structured training of staff members as well as students

Clinical Embryologists

Clinical embryologists are responsible for being the first ones in daily clinical practice. Their functions include the following:

• Execution of standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Involvement in everyday practice, respectively communication and organisation.
• Contribution to laboratory clinical decisions
• Training of staff members and students

What is included in Quality Management?

According to the European directives and recommendations, the requirements cover the organisation, management, personnel, equipment and materials, facilities/premises, documentation, records and quality review.

• Defining responsibilities and qualifications as well as competence for personnel
• Having valid written instructions for each process (SOP), including management of adverse events
• Ensuring full traceability of cells and tissues, materials, equipment and personnel involved in specific laboratory activities, with records maintained accordingly
• Ensuring every media/reagent/disposable is tested for quality using proper assays when at all possible, whenever the distributional or nutritional composition allows
• Establishing ensuring proper and periodic maintenance, service and calibration of the equipment
• Verifying conformance to specifications
• Taking corrective action to maintain conformity in procedures
• Assessment of performance for continued systematic improvement of the QMS
• Risk assessment analysis of all laboratory activities

The next set of articles will cover the other key aspects of an IVF Lab. But, if you are interested in learning in-depth about these topics, you must enrol for our Fellowship in Embryology. Medline Academics, an institution located in Kumara Park, Bangalore allows you to Learn and Earn! Additionally, the best part of these courses is that – It is in Hybrid Mode, which makes it even more convenient for working professionals.

That was about the learning part, now let’s come to the earnings! Wondering where can you work as a qualified embryologist after completing the course. Dr. Kamini Rao Hospitals located in the heart of South Bangalore, is a premium destination for practicing IVF.