Electronic ID tracking
Electronic ID Tracking is an RI witness system that is in place across all Virtus Health embryology laboratories and uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to detect and monitor activity in the IVF Laboratory. The system helps provide an extra peace of mind for patients and embryologists, as it safeguards every step of the IVF process.
What is Electronic ID Tracking?
Electronic ID Tracking is an electronic system called 'Witness' which allocates the patient's identity to each sample and digitally tracks every vessel containing the patients eggs, embryos and sperm to improve traceability.
Why Do We Need Electronic ID Tracking?
Electronic ID tracking was designed to mitigate risk. By using this technology, embryologists reduce the chance of error to human samples with the use of a system that monitors and digitally tracks every patient sample.
How is Electronic ID Tracking Used?
The RI witness system is used to automatically identify and track tags attached to dishes or tubes containing patient’s eggs, embryos and sperm. The tags contain electronically stored patient information and monitors the movements of patient’s samples throughout the process.
How Does Electronic ID Tracking Work?
Each workstation has an antennae. When a sample is brought into a workstation the antenna detects the electronic tag belonging to the sample. If two samples are placed into the same workstation that do not belong together, an audible alarm sounds alerting the embryologist.
The witness system monitors every instance when eggs, embryos or sperm are moved within a workstation, the time of the technique, and what items are in range of the antennae, ensuring that only one patient can be handled at any one time.
Are There Any Risks Associated?
There is no risk associated with Electronic ID tracking to your eggs, embryos or sperm. In fact, Electronic ID tracking decreases the risk and identity error during laboratory procedures, providing a peace of mind to both patients and staff. Most importantly, all witnessed procedures are recorded so the data can be audited to confirm that procedures are performed correctly and that every aspect of end-to-end gamete and embryo handling are covered.