{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,20]],"date-time":"2026-08-20T16:19:52Z","timestamp":1787242792206,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":20,"publisher":"Oxford University Press (OUP)","issue":"8","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2023,6,9]],"date-time":"2023-06-09T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1686268800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/pages\/standard-publication-reuse-rights"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2023,8,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>STUDY QUESTION<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>What have we learnt after 10\u2009years of electronic witnessing?<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>SUMMARY ANSWER<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>When applied correctly, an electronic witnessing system can replace manual witnessing in the medically assisted reproduction lab to prevent sample mix-up.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Electronic witnessing systems have been implemented to improve the correct identification, processing, and traceability of biological materials. When non-matching samples are simultaneously present in a single workstation, a mismatch event is generated to prevent sample mix-up.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This evaluation investigates the mismatch and administrator assign rate over a 10-year period (March 2011\u2013December 2021) with the use of an electronic witnessing system. Radiofrequency identification tags and barcodes were used for patient and sample identification. Since 2011, IVF and ICSI cycles and frozen embryo transfer cycles (FET) were included; IUIs cycles were included since 2013.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>PARTICIPANTS\/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The total number of tags and witnessing points were recorded. Witnessing points in a particular electronic witnessing system represent all the actions that have been performed from gamete collection through embryo production, to cryopreservation and transfer. Mismatches and administrator assigns were collected and stratified per procedure (sperm preparation, oocyte retrieval, IVF\/ICSI, cleavage stage embryo or blastocyst embryo biopsy, vitrification and warming, embryo transfer, medium changeover, and IUI). Critical mismatches (such as mislabelling or non-matching samples within one work area) and critical administrator assigns (such as samples not identified by the electronic witnessing system and unconfirmed witnessing points) were selected.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A total of 109\u200a655 cycles were included: 53\u200a023 IVF\/ICSI, 36\u200a347 FET, and 20\u200a285 IUI cycles. The 724\u200a096 used tags, led to a total of 849\u200a650 witnessing points. The overall mismatch rate was 0.251% (2132\/849\u200a650) per witnessing point and 1.944% per cycle. In total, 144 critical mismatches occurred over the different procedures. The yearly mean critical mismatch rate was 0.017 \u00b1 0.007% per witnessing point and 0.129 \u00b1 0.052% per cycle. The overall administrator assign rate was 0.111% (940\/849\u200a650) per witnessing point and 0.857% per cycle, including 320 critical administrator assigns. The yearly mean critical administrator assign rate was 0.039 \u00b1 0.010% per witnessing point and 0.301\u2009\u00b1\u20090.069% per cycle. Overall mismatch and administrator assign rates remained fairly stable during the evaluated time period. Sperm preparation and IVF\/ICSI were the procedures most prone to critical mismatch and administrator assigns.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The procedures and methods of integration of an electronic witnessing system may vary from one laboratory to another and result in differences in the potential risks related to sample identification. Individual embryos cannot (yet) be identified by such a system; this makes extra manual witnessing indispensable at certain critical steps where potential errors are not recorded. The electronic witnessing system still needs to be used in combination with manual labelling of both the bottom and lid of dishes and tubes to guarantee correct assignment in case of malfunction or incorrect use of radiofrequency identification tags.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Electronic witnessing is considered to be the ultimate tool to safeguard correct identification of gametes and embryos. But this is only possible when used correctly, and proper training and attention of the staff is required. It may also induce new risks, i.e. blind witnessing of samples by the operator.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>STUDY FUNDING\/COMPETING INTEREST(s)<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>No funding was either sought or obtained for this study. J.S. presents webinars on RIW for CooperSurgical. The remaining authors have nothing to declare.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>N\/A.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1093\/humrep\/dead115","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2023,5,24]],"date-time":"2023-05-24T20:18:40Z","timestamp":1684959520000},"page":"1529-1537","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":16,"title":["Electronic witnessing in the medically assisted reproduction laboratory: insights and considerations after 10 years of use"],"prefix":"10.1093","volume":"38","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9124-8658","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Johan","family":"Sterckx","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Brussels IVF, UZ Brussel , Brussels, Belgium"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3285-8939","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Koen","family":"Wouters","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Brussels IVF, UZ Brussel , Brussels, Belgium"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5262-4948","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ileana","family":"Mateizel","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Brussels IVF, UZ Brussel , Brussels, Belgium"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3391-2669","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ingrid","family":"Segers","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Brussels IVF, UZ Brussel , Brussels, Belgium"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0243-8650","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Anick","family":"De Vos","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Brussels IVF, UZ Brussel , Brussels, Belgium"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0043-3677","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Lisbet","family":"Van Landuyt","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Brussels IVF, UZ Brussel , Brussels, Belgium"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8601-6561","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Hilde","family":"Van de Velde","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Brussels IVF, UZ Brussel , Brussels, Belgium"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9863-9309","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Herman","family":"Tournaye","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Brussels IVF, UZ Brussel , Brussels, Belgium"},{"name":"Department of Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Biology of the Testis (BITE) Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) , Brussels, Belgium"},{"name":"Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatology and Reproduction, Institute of Professional Education, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation , Moscow, Russia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6404-2638","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Neelke","family":"De Munck","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Brussels IVF, UZ Brussel , Brussels, Belgium"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"286","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,6,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"979","DOI":"10.1016\/j.rbmo.2021.10.002","article-title":"Will the introduction of automated ART laboratory systems render the majority of embryologists redundant?","volume":"43","author":"Bori","year":"2021","journal-title":"Reprod Biomed Online"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"S1","DOI":"10.1016\/S1472-6483(12)60126-6","article-title":"OP-2 Identifying human error in the IVF laboratory using electronic witnessing","volume":"24","author":"Brunetti","year":"2012","journal-title":"Reprod Biomed Online"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B3","first-page":"32","article-title":"Commission directive 2006\/86\/EC of 24 October 2006 implementing Directive 2004\/23\/EC of the European parliament and of the Council as regards traceability requirements, notification of serious adverse reactions and events and certain technical requirements for the coding, processing, preservation, storage and distribution of human tissues and cells","volume":"L294","author":"Commission Directive","year":"2004","journal-title":"Off J Eur Union"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1499","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fertnstert.2013.09.029","article-title":"Protocols for tracking and witnessing samples and patients in assisted reproductive technology","volume":"100","author":"De los Santos","year":"2013","journal-title":"Fertil Steril"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B5","author":"EDQM Tissues and cells","year":"2022"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"685","DOI":"10.1093\/humrep\/dew016","article-title":"Revised guidelines for good practice in IVF laboratories (2015)","volume":"31","author":"ESHRE Guideline Group on Good Practice in IVF Labs","year":"2016","journal-title":"Hum Reprod"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"9","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fertnstert.2020.04.054","article-title":"Which key performance indicators are most effective in evaluating and managing an in vitro fertilization laboratory?","volume":"114","author":"Fabozzi","year":"2020","journal-title":"Fertil Steril"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1215","DOI":"10.1007\/s10815-016-0759-4","article-title":"Electronic witness system in IVF-patients perspective","volume":"33","author":"Forte","year":"2016","journal-title":"J Assist Reprod Genet"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"333","DOI":"10.4103\/jhrs.JHRS_66_20","article-title":"A preliminary experience of integration of an electronic witness system, its validation, efficacy on lab performance, and staff satisfaction assessment in a busy indian in vitro fertilization laboratory","volume":"13","author":"Gupta","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Hum Reprod Sci"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"691","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bpobgyn.2007.02.009","article-title":"Risk management in IVF","volume":"21","author":"Kennedy","year":"2007","journal-title":"Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B11","author":"Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority","year":"2021"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B12","first-page":"181","article-title":"Comparison of electronic versus manual witnessing of procedures within the in vitro fertilization laboratory: impact on timing and efficiency","volume":"2","author":"Holmes","year":"2021","journal-title":"F S Rep"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B13","article-title":"IVF errors: is this only the tip of the Iceberg?","author":"Madeira","year":"2020","journal-title":"Fertil Steril"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"879","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1537-2995.2000.40070879.x","article-title":"Human error-a significant cause of transfusion mortality","volume":"40","author":"Myhre","year":"2000","journal-title":"Transfusion"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"516","DOI":"10.1016\/j.rbmo.2015.06.018","article-title":"Failure mode and effects analysis of witnessing protocols for ensuring traceability during IVF","volume":"31","author":"Rienzi","year":"2015","journal-title":"Reprod Biomed Online"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1612","DOI":"10.1093\/humrep\/dex144","article-title":"Comprehensive protocol of traceability during IVF: the result of a multicentre failure mode and effect analysis","volume":"32","author":"Rienzi","year":"2017","journal-title":"Hum Reprod"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2196","DOI":"10.1093\/humrep\/dey320","article-title":"Types and frequency of non-conformances in an IVF laboratory","volume":"33","author":"Sakkas","year":"2018","journal-title":"Hum Reprod"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"69","DOI":"10.1136\/qshc.2007.024273","article-title":"Involuntary automaticity: a potential legal defence against an allegation of clinical negligence?","volume":"18","author":"Toft","year":"2009","journal-title":"Qual Saf Health Care"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"211","DOI":"10.1258\/095148405774518615","article-title":"Involuntary automaticity: a work-system induced risk to safe health care","volume":"18","author":"Toft","year":"2005","journal-title":"Health Serv Manage Res"},{"key":"2023080108203344900_dead115-B20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1200","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1537-2995.2003.00428.x","article-title":"Barcode technology: its role in increasing the safety of blood transfusion","volume":"43","author":"Turner","year":"2003","journal-title":"Transfusion"}],"container-title":["Human Reproduction"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/humrep\/article-pdf\/38\/8\/1529\/51004682\/dead115.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/humrep\/article-pdf\/38\/8\/1529\/51004682\/dead115.pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2023,8,1]],"date-time":"2023-08-01T04:21:23Z","timestamp":1690863683000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/humrep\/article\/38\/8\/1529\/7193345"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2023,6,9]]},"references-count":20,"journal-issue":{"issue":"8","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,6,9]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2023,8,1]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/humrep\/dead115","relation":{},"ISSN":["0268-1161","1460-2350"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0268-1161","type":"print"},{"value":"1460-2350","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published-other":{"date-parts":[[2023,8,1]]},"published":{"date-parts":[[2023,6,9]]}}}