Hospital mistake: Italian woman receives wrong embryo

A woman in Italy was given the wrong embryo during an in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, according to reports. The error occurred on the morning of July 23, when a patient was mistakenly implanted with an embryo belonging to another couple who had previously undergone the treatment. The incident came to light within eight minutes after the procedure, when a staff member noticed the mistake while double-checking names. The hospital temporarily suspended all IVF-related procedures, including egg fertilization in the lab, embryo culture, and embryo transfer. This pause was announced by the Milan Health Authority and the Italian Ministry of Health on Friday, affecting operations for at least 15 days. The affected couple decided on July 24 to have the embryo removed via vacuum aspiration during a follow-up procedure. The second couple, whose embryo was inadvertently transferred, remained unaware of the mix-up initially. Instead, they were given the embryo from the first couple. The hospital explained its decision not to immediately inform them, citing concerns over causing emotional and psychological stress during the potential implantation period. The couple has since been made aware of the situation. Investigations into how the mix-up occurred are ongoing. Reports suggest neither staff shortages nor shift changes contributed to the error. Both procedures were conducted by the same team, indicating that the mistake likely resulted from a chain of errors across multiple steps, ranging from appointment scheduling through pre-operative preparation and the actual procedure itself. Embryo implantation typically occurs in 30 to 40 percent of cases following an operative transfer. In Italy, more than 80,000 couples attempt IVF each year to conceive children. The San Raffaele Hospital’s IVF center is considered one of the most advanced in the country, offering some of the most complex reproductive technologies available. Across Italy, there are approximately 300 IVF centers, predominantly located in hospitals in the economically stronger northern regions of the country. The incident highlights the critical importance of precision and protocol adherence in reproductive medicine. While such errors are rare, they underscore the need for rigorous quality control measures and clear communication protocols. The hospital is expected to release further details once the internal investigation concludes. Patients undergoing similar treatments will likely be advised to remain vigilant and report any unusual symptoms promptly.