NEW ORLEANS - A new independent audit confirmed some serious concerns over an embryo mix-up that forced the September shut down Ochsner Health System's in vitro fertilization center in Elmwood.
Hospital CEO Dr. Patrick Quinlan addressed reporters for the first time since revealing a wide-spread labeling problem.
"The findings suggest that the work done by one particular embryologist had an extremely high error rate and exhibited practices far below industry standards," said Quinlan.
IVF is the process where an egg is fertilized in a laboratory, then implanted in the mother.
The hospital admitted that mix-up made it difficult to account for all of the frozen embryos stored at the center.
Dr. Quinlan did not name the embryologist, who the report said had a high error rate, but court documents in a civil suit against Ochsner identify him as Vincent Williams who works for the Missouri-based Nebular Scientific.
Originally, Ochsner said the embryo mix-up could effect up to 100 patients.
Quinlan now says the problem makes it impossible to use the frozen embryos for 15 patients.
"Fortunately, the auditors reported it is very highly likely that the substantial majority of the frozen embryos do not face these issues or barriers," said Quinlan.
"Very highly likely" is a vague term according to Robert David, an attorney who represents parents now suing Ochsner.
He said parents want to know the real risk of using the embryos.
The audit recommends that all patients have their embryos genetically tested before release for implantation.
David said parents are worried the testing could effect the pregnancy or cause serious health issues for the unborn child.
Ochsner's IVF center is closed indefinitely.
"Many of those employed or under contract at the IVF Center when these mistakes were made are no longer at Ochsner," said Quinlan. "For those who remain, we have instituted appropriate corrective and disciplinary actions for oversight failure."
David says parties in the case against Ochsner are now expected to meet in a Jefferson Parish courtroom, December 15.
That's when a judge is expected to decide whether the embryo mix-up rises to the level of a class action law suit.
Friday, Ochsner's CEO read a prepared statement and did not take questions from reporters.
