Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33598752›Full record

ReviewJournal of assisted reproduction and genetics2021

Liability for embryo mix-ups in fertility practices in the USA.

Melody A Rasouli, Christopher P Moutos, John Y Phelps

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Melody A RasouliDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1701 W Charleston Blvd., Ste. 290, Las Vegas, NV, 89102, USA. melody.rasouli@unlv.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0553-8232
Christopher P MoutosDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
John Y PhelpsDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1701 W Charleston Blvd., Ste. 290, Las Vegas, NV, 89102, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeTo study recent legal cases involving the transfer of the incorrect embryo into patients and learn how fertility clinics can better serve clients, protect themselves financially, and safeguard their physicians' personal assets.

methodsThe Nexis Uni database was used to review legal cases, news, and business publications of previous cases of embryo mix-ups. County and district courthouse dockets were also queried for filings and court documents related to lawsuits involving embryo mix-ups using Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER). Emphasis was placed on court decisions, awarded damages, and legal and media coverage related to embryo mix-up events.

resultsA case law review of US legal databases and courthouse dockets was conducted for cases between 2000 and 2020, focusing on lawsuits against reproductive endocrinologists and in vitro fertilization (IVF) facilities offering embryo transfer (ET). Improper labeling and ineffective communication led to errors in the cases reviewed.

conclusionIt is prudent for clinics to protect themselves from embryo mix-ups, which can subsequently lead to undesirable clinical outcomes, as well as lawsuits stemming from these errors. This article emphasizes following labeling guidelines when storing embryos, employing a two-step read back method prior to ET, and offering genetic testing when a discrepancy is found in the record. In the case an embryo mix-up does occur, it is recommended to protect personal assets through business organizing procedures and consider settlement offers for policy limits.

Indexed as

AdultEmbryo TransferFemaleFertilityFertilization in VitroGenetic TestingHumansReproductive Techniques, AssistedUnited StatesEmbryo transferIVF errorLiabilityMedical negligenceMix-up

Identifiers

PMID33598752
PMCPMC8190234

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.