Getting To Know IVF Unit Start Up Guidelines

The IVF Unit will provide facilities for In vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedures. IVF is one of several Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) used to help infertile couples to conceive a child. The procedure involves removal of eggs (mature Oocyte or Ovum) from the woman's ovary. Ova are then fertilised with sperm in a laboratory procedure (in vitro). If fertilisation occurs, a fertilized ovum, after undergoing several cell divisions, is transferred to the mother for normal development in the uterus, or frozen for later implantation.

The IVF centre must have adequate functionalities to minimize any damaging effects upon reproductive cells and ensure good laboratory practice. Also, laboratory design should ensure optimal workflow over minimal distances while handling reproductive cells during all treatment phases. The IVF Unit will provide facilities for In vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. IVF is one of several Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) used to help infertile couples to conceive a child. Once the architecture and ergonomics of your clinic are sorted. What is the ideal environment to create a wellness centre and IVF clinic focused on the whole person?

The IVF laboratory may use Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) in the process of IVF.

Services provided by the IVF Unit include:

 Patient consultation and interview on an outpatient basis

 Pre-treatment assessment

 Blood collection

 Semen collection

 Artificial insemination

 Ovarian stimulation therapy

 Ultrasound examination

 Oocyte (egg) collection

 Embryo culture

 In vitro / ICSI fertilisation

 Cryopreservation

 Embryo transfer

 Recovery

Functional Areas

The IVF Unit may consist of a number of Functional Areas or zones:

 Entry/ Consult Area

- Entry/ Reception and waiting areas

- Administration/ Records

- Interview Room/s

- Consult/ Examination/ Treatment Room/s

- Ultrasound room/s

- Collection Room/s with Ensuite shower and Toilet

- Public Toilets

Patient Procedural Area

 - Operating Room/s for oocyte (egg) collection and re-implantation

 - Recovery areas

- Change areas and toilets for staff and patients 

Laboratory Area

 - Laboratories (Embryology, IVF, ICSI, Andrology, Genetics)

 - Cryopreservation facilities

- Gas Bottle Store

 Staff and Support Area

 - Clean-Up and Disposal room

 - Store rooms and Sterile store

 - Offices, meeting rooms, staff room

- Sterilising area:

 if the IVF unit is a stand-alone building, dedicated sterilising facilities will be required

Here are some design tips from experts in the field of clinic design:

Create Texture:

 Use natural materials such as wood, stone and natural textiles to create texture and contrast in your clinic. Locally made textiles, utilised as wall hangings or furniture accessories such as cushions, can then embody the uniqueness of the location. You can create a subliminal impression of balance i.e. holism by combining elements that complement each other. Use reclaimed wood and other recyclables on horizontal surfaces. Textured glass and ceramic tiles and metals such as copper and bronze for railings and fixtures.

Bring the outdoors indoors:

an impression of nature, her beauty, wildness and fecundity, can be created by conveying a sense of the outdoors. The outdoors can be brought indoors by using mini-waterfalls, bamboo (both living and inert) and stone. Natural elements such as water features and meditative garden enclaves intrigue, but also calm, visitors as they experience the environment along with their treatments.

Dramatic doors and crossing over points:

pay great attention to doors and entrances. These signify a crossing over point to a place where people can leave their previous lives behind.

Initiative Measures for Center Development

Factors or Measure for Center Development

a.        Better Hospital Environment

b.        Good Team of professionals

c.        Excellent Hospitality and Care

d.        Marketing Initiatives to receive infertility cases from small and medium sized hospitals

e.        Maintaining the Lab

f.         Convert/Register more positive results

g.        Regular follow-up of patients

h.        Organize IUI workshop and IVF conferences for awareness of the center to other doctors

i.         Continuous advertisement on media adds more value