Page 22 - FSANZ UPDATE Spring 2022

SIRT: Optimising ART lab standards
The Scientists in Reproductive Technology (SIRT) professional group has welcomed the release of an RTAC Technical Bulletin providing advice to ART units on the transport of cryopreserved gametes and embryos.
The bulletin has been sent to all ART units and it also appears on the FSANZ website.
SIRT Vice-President, Jayne Mullen, said the bulletin would add to the safety of gametes to help ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.
“It is a very positive move that will provide clarity to units and enhance the quality of service for patients,” she added.
As reported in the Winter 2022 edition of FSANZ Update, the need for a new bulletin arose after an issue in which cryopreserved sperm and embryos thawed out in transit from New Zealand to Australia.
The result was that the samples had defrosted upon receipt and were unviable. This was investigated by both parties and the results of that investigation were discussed with the RTAC Chair and the RTAC Committee with a recommendation that the investigation be shared as a technical bulletin.
SIRT 2022 Meeting
The SIRT meeting at the Sydney International Convention Centre on 30 July was a great success featuring an outstanding line-up of speakers.
One session was dedicated to the Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists (ARCS) Exchange Oral Presentation Prize with four speakers – Carly Cuman from Monash IVF, Dr Fabrizzio Horta (Monash University), Anna Tran (No. 1 Fertility), and Tania Tzelepis (presented by Dr Kelli Sorby, No. 1 Fertility).
Dr Horta was judged the winner for his presentation on non- invasive metabolic live cell imaging of early embryo development using adapted confocal microscopy in ageing. He has won $5,000 to attend and present at the Fertility Conference 2023 in the United Kingdom, an event jointly hosted by ARCS, the British Fertility Society and the Society for Reproduction and Fertility.
Jayne Mullen presented a talk on the SIRT position paper on recommendations for optimal staffing levels, training and professional development in ART laboratories in Australia and NZ. ART labs today are complex with evolving protocols, the introduction of new technologies and the need to meet accreditation.
A SIRT sub-committee was formed in response to a call from members seeking guidance on appropriate staffing levels to minimise risk and ensure best outcomes in patient care. Increasing workloads and overtime were raised as concerns.
The sub-committee, co-chaired by Dr Lisa Lee and Jayne Mullen, conducted a lengthy and detailed exploration of different ART centres. It defined time specifications, the complexities of ART procedures, and training and continuing professional development requirements for scientists to ensure effectively run, high-performing ART labs.
Jayne Mullen
Four main areas reviewed were:
1. Staffing associated risks in the ART laboratory;
2. Education, roles, experience and competency of IVF
scientists;
3. Continuing professional development and certification of IVF
scientists; and
4. A model ART for laboratory staffing called a smART
calculator.
The smART ‘plug and play’ calculator was developed by the SIRT sub-committee incorporating twelve routine procedures. Based on a cycle (either IVF or ICSI) with ten eggs collected, an average time was considered taking into account the complexities of each procedure.
The risks in the ART laboratory primarily associated with staffing levels have been reviewed, and the smART calculator is designed to assist clinics to tailor adequate staffing levels for their specific needs.
“The smART calculator will be an invaluable tool for clinics to use going forward,” Jayne said.
The SIRT position paper has been submitted for publication and, once accepted, it will be distributed to all SIRT members with the calculator being madeavailable on the SIRT members website.
2023 SIRT Meeting in Hobart
The 2023 SIRT two-day meeting will be held at Hobart’s waterfront Grand Chancellor Hotel on the weekend of 25 and 26 February.
“Please save the dates to be at the Hobart meeting and remember that you will need to have renewed your SIRT membership for 2023 to attend,” Jayne said. “Renewal emails with be circulated in November.”
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