Data Management in an In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer Program

Abstract

Appropriate collection, storage, correlation, and retrieval of data is critical to the functioning of an in vitro fertilization program, whether the program is primarily intended for research or for clinical treatment. There are several inherent reasons why data management is so important to an in vitro fertilization program. First, IVF-ET is a unique area in medicine in that it involves close correlation and cooperation between laboratory scientists and clinicians, both of whom are intimately involved in the patients’ treatment program. Second, there is a large amount of data generated from each treatment cycle which must be organized in comprehensive patient treatment records. Making this task much more difficult is the fact that the data originates from multiple sources. For example, ultrasonographic follicular measurements are made in the radiology department; serum hormone values come from the radioimmunoassay laboratories; there is clinical input regarding the ovulation induction regimen as well as the observations at laparoscopy; and the embryo laboratory submits data regarding the specific culture media, sperm parameters and preparation as well as oocyte observations and performance.