To err is human, also in medically assisted reproduction: a cross-sectional study on error management practices†

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Healthcare Quality and Safety
• Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

Background:

• Error management is critical in complex Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR) settings.
• Previous research indicates a need for more comprehensive data on MAR error management practices.
• Limited understanding exists regarding the diverse approaches to error reporting and patient disclosure across MAR centres.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR) centres manage errors.
• To examine practices for reporting adverse incidents and non-conformities to National Competent Authorities (NCA).
• To assess the extent of disclosure of non-conformities to patients within MAR centres.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study design was employed.
• Data were collected via an online survey distributed to MAR professionals through the ESHRE membership mailing list.
• The survey comprised 17 questions covering error management, NCA reporting, and patient disclosure.

Main Results:

• 387 valid responses were analyzed, with 71.6% of centres systematically recording laboratory and clinical non-conformities, often digitally.
• While 85.8% of centres hold regular meetings to review incidents, reporting to NCA and patient disclosure practices varied significantly.
• Only 15.1% reported all incident types to the NCA, and 52% always disclosed incidents to patients, contrasting with 11.7% who never disclosed.

Conclusions:

• MAR centres exhibit diverse error management, reporting, and disclosure strategies, indicating a mixed approach to transparency and systematic non-conformity management.
• Findings highlight the need for standardized reporting systems and enhanced patient communication in the MAR sector.
• Promoting a culture of safety and continuous learning from non-conformities is crucial for advancing MAR practices globally.