We’re nominated for the British Medical Journal ‘Patient Safety’ Award!
Working in collaboration with our colleagues in the Genetics Clinic at Guy’s Hospital and the Assisted Conception Unit; Viapath’s Genetics Department have successfully contributed to the roll-out of a safer and more successful conception method which has been shortlisted for an award by the British Medical Journal (the BMJ).
New innovative preimplantation protocol
Our genetics experts have helped to develop and implement a new pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) protocol, which offers improved safety, less risk of complications for patients and improved productivity within the department.
PGD enables couples with an inheritable genetic condition within their family to avoid passing it on to their children.
Previously, the commissioning of this service was controlled by individual Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) at a local level; however, since the centralisation of PGD commissioning, this service has become more widely available to patients, resulting in increased demand, and the need to manage patient throughput without impacting costs.
Eliminating risk
There are potential complications associated with existing PGD treatments, not least Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), which involves swelling of the ovaries and can cause feelings of sickness as well as ovarian torsion and renal damage in more serious cases.
A novel medication regime introduced as part of this project involves injecting both a hormone antagonist and a hormone agonist which effectively eliminates the risk of OHSS and potentially saves the NHS resources through reduced need for intensive patient monitoring during ovarian stimulation.
Following oocyte collection and fertilisation, the preimplantation embryos are biopsied before being vitrified (frozen) while the biopsied material is genetically tested in Viapath’s laboratories.
Existing protocols involve transferring genetically normal embryos two or three days after biopsy. This new protocol of freezing the embryos allows hormone regimes which dramatically reduce OHSS risk, and provides more time for robust genetic testing and interpretation of results.
It also gives patients more time to consider sometimes complex results in order to decide on embryo transfer options.
Increased effectiveness and efficiency
This world-first innovation has been in place since October 2013 and has delivered impressive results with no cases of OHSS in 161 patients tested over 12 months; an additional benefit is the reduction in incidence of multiple pregnancy to a level similar to that found in natural conception, compared to a multiple pregnancy rate of 13% using the previous protocol.
This process has been introduced at no extra cost to the NHS while also delivering an 80% increase in productivity within the department, reducing waiting times, and increasing patient safety and satisfaction.
Innovative change
Professor Caroline Ogilvie, Consultant Scientist at Guy’s & St Thomas’ and Viapath, was part of the team to introduce this technique: “The changes in commissioning arrangements resulted in a significant increase in demand for PGD. In order to provide an efficient and effective service for patients, we needed innovative change.”
“We are the largest NHS PGD service in the UK, and one of the largest centres in Europe. The success of our programme, and our willingness to introduce innovative practices, is testament to the experts in the laboratories and the collaboration between Guy’s Genetics Clinic, the Assisted Conception Unit and Viapath.”
“Last year’s introduction of the textbook ‘Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis in Clinical Practice’ speaks volumes of the excellent work completed in this area.”
Collaborative values
Our core values at Viapath are Innovation, Expertise and Collaboration, our close ties with our founding NHS Foundation Trust Partners at Guy’s, St. Thomas’ and King’s College hospitals allow us to respond to clinical needs. Collaborating with clinicians we have formed a network of experts, innovating everyday to introduce the next generation of diagnostics and treatments to improve patients’ lives.
Congratulations to the team for being shortlisted for this prestigious award and best of luck as the winner is chosen.
