After a woman goes through an egg freezing process, the frozen eggs are stored in liquid nitrogen tanks in a cryogenic facility where they are typically monitored with video surveillance and alarm systems. DePompei said the Cleveland facility has an alarm system but declined to give more specifics until an investigation by an outside expert is complete.
“Obviously the situation that occurred here is devastating for the families involved, and it’s devastating for our physicians and our nurses and our staff as well,” said DePompei.
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University Hospitals has been reaching out to patients who can decide how to proceed — the only way to know if an egg or embryo is still viable is to thaw and implant it. The hospital says it will not destroy any of the eggs or embryos and has moved them to a working tank.
Whether fertility procedure fees for the affected patients will be waived is unclear. “We are working very very carefully to determine how we can best support them through the process,” said DePompei.
“Our hearts go out to the patients who have suffered this loss.”
“Our hearts go out to the patients who have suffered this loss.”
Egg freezing has become an increasingly popular way for young women to preserve their fertility. In 2015, more than 6,200 women froze their eggs, according to the latest figures from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Although the price of egg freezing has come down in recent years, the costs can range from at least $12,000 to $14,000 for a woman to undergo the procedure.
There is no record of a similar malfunction at any other fertility clinic in the U.S., a spokesperson for ASRM said.
“Our hearts go out to the patients who have suffered this loss,” said Sean Tipton, chief policy officer at ASRM. “We will work with our member clinics to help them take any steps needed to ensure such an event never happens again.”