IVF laboratory COVID-19 pandemic response plan: a roadmap
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(2020) 25:31
Middle East Fertility Society Journal
REVIEW
Open Access
IVF laboratory COVID-19 pandemic response plan: a roadmap Fadi Choucair1,2* , Nagham Younis1,3 and Alia Hourani1,4
Abstract Background: The potential of COVID-19 severe pandemic necessitates the development of an organized and wellreasoned plan for the management of embryology/andrology laboratories while safeguarding the wellbeing of patients and IVF staff. Main body: A COVID-19 pandemic response plan was proposed for embryology and andrology laboratories for pre-pandemic preparedness and pandemic management in anticipation of a possible second coronavirus wave. Preparation involves many plans and logistics before a pandemic risk rises. Many operational changes can be considered during the pandemic. This plan includes logistical arrangements, reducing labor needs, conserving supplies, and protective measures for embryologists and gametes/embryos. Conclusion: The unpredictable emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic dictates the need for a preparedness plan for embryology/andrology laboratories, which includes an action-oriented plan to secure the safety of all stakeholders. Keywords: COVID-19, Pandemic, Response plan, In vitro fertilization laboratory, Clinical embryology, Andrology, Emergency
Background In view of the recent worldwide COVID-19 disease and predictions suggesting the inevitability of future pandemics, the need for a disaster plan for IVF laboratories has become a compulsory requirement. COVID-19 is caused by a virus from the coronaviridae family, named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) [1]. Coronaviruses can be transmitted through the air in respiratory droplets (> 5-μm diameter) and aerosols (≤ 5-μm diameter). Transmission is also believed to occur through direct (contaminated hands) or indirect (contaminated surfaces and fomites) physical contacts, leading to cross-infections and outbreaks [2]. According to the most recent evidence from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for * Correspondence: [email protected] 1 Middle East Fertility Society Embryology Specialty Interest Group, Beirut, Lebanon 2 American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the predominant transmission route for coronaviruses is through droplets as the virus is conveyed by exhaled air (through normal breathing, coughing or sneezing) rather than aerosols [3, 4]. These heavy droplets can deposit on surfaces amplifying the propagation of the virus. Surprisingly, recent data showed that the prevalence of asymptomatic individuals with COVID-19 may be as high as 50–75% which challenges the triage of infected individuals [5]. It is estimated that more than 25% of transmissions occur in the workplace [6]. The occurrence of asymptomatic coronavirus-positive patients and healthcare workers in IVF units may contribute to an environment rich in respiratory viruses, leading to potential outbreaks in the wo
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