Monash IVF Melbourne, Brisbane embryo mix-up: Company admits ‘human error’, review will not be released

Monash IVF has confirmed the findings of an independent review into two separate embryo mix-ups at its Brisbane and Melbourne clinics will not be made public, but has confirmed how the incidents occurred.

The review was launched earlier this year after a Brisbane woman had been implanted with another patient’s embryo, giving birth to a child with no genetic links, and a separate case in Melbourne occurred, involving a transfer error between partners.

Both incidents sparked public concern, the resignation of the company’s CEO, and calls for greater transparency across Australia’s booming IVF industry.

In a statement to the ASX on Wednesday, the fertility giant said the review, carried out by barrister Fiona McLeod, would remain confidential to safeguard the privacy of affected patients.

“Both cases involved non-standard IVF treatments and circumstances that would not arise in the vast majority of IVF procedures,” Monash IVF said in the ASX update.

“The Independent Review concluded that the Brisbane incident was the result of human error,” the statement said.

Monash IVF identified the issue in February when the birth parents sought to move their remaining frozen embryos to another provider.

The Melbourne case, meanwhile, was attributed to a series of contributing factors, including mistakes across multiple stages and IT system limitations “in the very limited circumstances of an embryo transfer to a partner.”

“Those limitations ultimately made subsequent processes more vulnerable to human error,” the company said.

The company said it had already implemented many of Ms McLeod’s recommendations.

“Following its own internal review, additional safeguards and protocols have already been implemented and the company is committed to implementing the remainder of the recommendations,” Monash IVF said.

“These additional safeguards and protocols go beyond the recommendations contained in the independent review. The cost involved in implementing the recommendations and additional safeguards and protocols are not anticipated to have a material impact on financial performance.”

Then-chief executive Michael Knaap resigned following revelations of the Melbourne mix-up in June, with chief financial officer and company secretary Malik Jainudeen stepping in as acting CEO.

“To the affected patients and everyone who entrusts Monash IVF with their dreams of building a family, we are deeply sorry for the distress these incidents have caused,” Mr Jainudeen said.