Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital has had to apologize after embryos at the IVF center were infected with bacteria
Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital has had to apologize after embryos at the IVF center were infected with bacteria
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital fertility laboratory infected with bacteria
- It is currently being investigated whether embryos were contaminated
- IVF patients apologized and were transferred to another clinic
A major hospital has apologized to three IVF patients who were left “distressed” after a bacterial outbreak in the fertility unit.
The embryos of three women being treated in the fertility laboratory at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown have been destroyed by a bacterial infection.
The clinic shut down abruptly on Wednesday to undergo a deep clean, with RPA notifying those affected by the incident.
Although support has been provided, one woman said she was extremely “disturbed” by the news and planned to “go offline” for a few days to process the situation.
“We recognize this is a difficult time for the affected patients and we sincerely apologize,” said an RPA spokesman.
The fertility laboratory at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (pictured) in Camperdown was abruptly closed on Wednesday to undergo a thorough cleaning after a bacterial infection contaminated “several” embryos
“As a precaution, patients scheduled for fertility procedures in the next week have been rerouted to another Genea site.”
“All other appointments at the fertility unit remain unchanged,” the spokesperson added.
Investigations are currently underway to locate the source of the bacteria.
The last time a similar incident happened in the lab was more than five years ago, when a patient unknowingly introduced bacteria, said a health worker familiar with the incident ABC.
One of the women who received IVF treatment at the RPA facility said she was troubled by the news (stock image)
RPA, along with private provider Genea, is one of only three fertility clinics offering state-subsidized, low-cost IVF in New South Wales.
An IVF cycle typically costs expectant parents $5,500 after the Medicare rebate payment.
However, government-subsidized clinics like RPA cap prices at just over $1,100 after the discount.
Affected patients are reportedly being offered a free IVF cycle.
The facility is expected to reopen on August 23 and resume normal operations.