Revised guidelines for good practice in IVF laboratories (2015)

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Embryology
• Laboratory Management

Background:

• Existing guidelines for IVF laboratory practices require updates.
• Expert consensus is needed to standardize IVF laboratory organization and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide updated recommendations for the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology Special Interest Group (ESHRE SIG) Embryology.
• To support laboratory specialists in optimizing IVF laboratory organization, management, and patient care.

Main Methods:

• A guideline development group of 10 embryologists evaluated and rewrote existing guidelines.
• Recommendations were discussed and refined through consensus during two 2-day meetings.
• The draft guideline was reviewed by members of the ESHRE SIG embryology.

Main Results:

• Recommendations cover general IVF laboratory organization: staffing, quality management, and safety.
• Specific procedural recommendations include patient identification, oocyte retrieval, sperm preparation, insemination, embryo culture, and cryopreservation.
• Guidance is also provided on emergency planning for IVF laboratories.

Conclusions:

• The guideline provides comprehensive recommendations for good practice in IVF laboratory organization and procedures.
• Despite limited direct evidence, the recommendations are based on existing documents and expert consensus.
• This guideline is expected to be a valuable resource for IVF laboratory directors, managers, and technicians.