Overview
The IVF laboratory is under the direction of Lisa Nelson, MS, ELD, a highly qualified and experienced embryologist. Since 1999, when our laboratory was brought on site, our laboratory has been fully accredited with zero deficiencies by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of on-site inspections. We also maintain a California Tissue Bank License. Our laboratory is located adjacent to our egg retrieval and embryo transfer rooms. The laboratory is equipped with the most state-of-the-art equipment to aid in the processing of patient’s gametes and embryos. Because of day-to-day variations and contamination, the room has continuous Hepa filtration, room conditions are precisely regulated and strict sterile techniques are applied. Lisa Nelson is compulsive in his maintenance of our Embryology lab quality control.
Maintenance of Identity
Visit our section on Identification & Maintenance for Gametes & Embryos
Laboratory Services
To ensure the highest level of quality and patient service, Fertility and Gynecology Center has its own on-site laboratory, conveniently located across from our procedure room. This lab provides state of the art technological services to enable us to provide the highest level of quality and care in our IVF program.
Hormone Laboratory
The hormone laboratory is responsible for the collection, testing and reporting of blood hormone levels in patients undergoing evaluation and/or treatment. Utilizing state-of-the-art analyzers, our laboratory is able to provide results with a few hours of specimen collection. This result can be essential in the close monitoring of the patient's response to treatment so that adjustments to medication can be made if necessary. This laboratory is under the supervision of a California licensed medical technologist, is fully licensed as a reference laboratory by the state of California and registered as a Moderate complexity laboratory with the Center for Medicaid and State Operations.
Andrology Laboratory
The andrology laboratory performs all the evaluation, testing, preparation and storage of sperm specimens for our patients. Diagnostic procedures include semen analysis, preparation of sperm for fertilization and thawing of frozen specimens. Semen cryopreservation(freezing) and storage is provided to patients with additional partner samples when a fresh specimen is not available and in the near future will be available to preserve sperm for men requiring cancer treatment that might render them sterile. The andrology laboratory is also responsible for preparing semen specimens for intrauterine insemination. The andrology laboratory is licensed by the state of California and the federal government (CLIA) and accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Reproductive Laboratory Program.
Embryology Laboratory
The embryology laboratory provides extensive services related to the collection, handling, preparation, culture and storage of human gametes (sperm and eggs). Due to the sen sitive nature of its' duties, the embryology laboratory is located in a secure and sterile area away from the rest of the clinic facilities but in close proximity to the procedure room where the eggs are collected. The laboratory is responsible for identifying oocytes (eggs) in ovarian fluid, culturing these eggs with the partner's sperm, and observing embryo development prior to embryo replacement into the patient. Our lab operates under strict protocols established by our Laboratory Director, Lisa Nelson. As such, not only are careful and precise techniques used to handle and process the eggs and embryos, but strict patient identification of all specimens is maintained, repeatedly verified and insured. We maintain the highest quality control standards and have been awarded Accreditation with Distinction from the College of American Pathologists, the premier laboratory accrediting organization in the United States.
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