Minimizing waste in medically assisted reproduction: a study on sustainability initiatives for oocyte retrieval and...

How can waste be reduced during medically assisted reproduction (MAR) procedures, including oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer, through sustainable interventions without compromising safety?

A quality management initiative was conducted over 12 months (October 2023 to October 2024). Through a multidisciplinary approach, sustainability initiatives were developed aimed at reducing material and medication waste generated during oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer procedures. Sustainability interventions were implemented during a 3-month pilot phase. Waste generation was measured before and after implementation of these interventions. Infection rates were evaluated at baseline and after completing the pilot.

During the study, 234 oocyte retrievals and 291 embryo transfers were carried out. The proposed interventions resulted in a material waste reduction of about 60% for oocyte retrieval and 8% for embryo transfer, with no clinical or laboratory infections recorded.

This study revealed the possibility for significant waste reduction in MAR procedures through targeted sustainability interventions. These findings underscore the feasibility of integrating sustainability practices in MAR procedures.