The Conversation: How common are errors in IVF labs? Can they be prevented?

A woman gave birth to another patient’s baby due to an embryo mix-up at a Brisbane IVF lab. Monash IVF’s investigation found the incident was caused by human error despite strict safety measures. The incident raises questions about IVF errors and whether Australia’s regulations should include public reporting of adverse events.

The news of a woman unknowingly giving birth to another patient’s baby after an embryo mix-up at a Brisbane IVF lab has made headlines in Australia and globally. The distress this incident will have caused to everyone involved is undoubtedly significant. A report released by Monash IVF, the company that operates the Brisbane clinic, states it “adheres to strict laboratory safety measures (including multi-step identification processes) to safeguard and protect the embryos in its care”.



It also says the company’s initial investigation concluded the incident was “the result of human error”..