Failure Mode and Effect Analysis applied to traceability in Assisted Reproductive Technology: a case study

Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is a pro-active tool for risk management that has been previously used in human Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART); a major risk in this field, is the mismatch of reproductive cells which may severely affect both patients and operators. In this case study we applied the FMEA to the identification and traceability aspects of ART in order to minimize this mismatch risk. The study was conducted in an Italian ART center as part of a national multicenter study.