By Dr. Krishna Chaitanya Mantravadi, Scientific Head and Clinical Embryologist, Oasis Fertility
The parenthood journey is a very special one and nothing should hamper the unique experience. Technology has come a long way in making fertility treatments personalized, affordable, accessible, and flawless. IVF is an advanced fertility treatment that comprises several steps involving the collection and storage of egg and sperm samples of hundreds of couples. The process has to be precise, without any human errors as any mistake can shatter one’s parenthood dream. But as the saying “To err is human”, sometimes mistakes do happen. Mismatch of egg and sperm samples can have far-reaching implications. Even the thought of a couple of Asiatic origin having a child of European origin is devastating. The power of technology has helped us in removing human errors and gifting the joy of parenthood to couples in the most transparent, ethical, and compassionate manner. EWS (Electronic Witnessing System) is one of the latest applications used in the IVF process that has become a trendsetter in redefining the IVF procedure.
What is EWS (Electronic Witnessing System)?
IVF process consists of the collection of sperms, eggs, and also storage of embryos in labs. During each of these steps, there are chances for a mismatch to occur. Double witnessing/manual witnessing was a procedure that was carried out before the invention of EWS. In this, each step in IVF will be confirmed by two staff in the embryology team to prevent any mismatch. But this is prone to omission and involuntary errors. It’s a cumbersome process and takes a lot of time. EWS is an advanced technology wherein, radiofrequencies are used to identify each and every sample and individual identification tags are produced. With these tags, an individual’s information can be tracked, recorded, and monitored throughout the IVF process. Without this system, there is a higher probability of human errors. IVF procedure is optimized employing automatic cross-checking, reduction of human errors thereby removing unnecessary fears and anxiety of the couples undergoing treatment.
Unique Features & Advantages of EWS:
- Enables tracking all steps of IVF
- Minimizes lab associated risks
- Prevents mixing up of samples
- Automates the process thereby removing human intervention and errors
- Generates unique codes for each sample
- Helps the embryologist to make the process flawless
- Alerts the embryologist in case of a mismatch
- Critical detection
- Security and safety assured during the whole process
- Boosts the morale of embryologists
The couples in pursuit of a parenthood journey should choose a fertility centre that offers tech-based solutions that can keep the entire treatment error-free, patient-friendly and successful as well. After going through the long journey to become parents, the couples should not end up with a child that’s not theirs.
According to a recent survey by Science Direct, EWS is said to improve sample traceability (78.3%), reduce errors in labeling issues (80.4%), and reduce the risk of sample mismatch errors by minimizing disruptions (60.9%) and an EWS can improve laboratory efficiency by significantly decreasing the time required for witnessing procedures and by minimizing interruptions.
EWS makes the IVF treatment a more controlled one and also the entire process tension-free to the embryologists as well as the would-be-parents!
