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Our Quality Management System |
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 The Bridge Clinic decided to institute a quality management system because there are no regulatory bodies in Nigeria and it was important to have a reference point guiding the quality of services provided by the Clinic. We run an effective Quality Management System that complies with the EN ISO 9001:2000 and Human Fertilizations Embryology Authority (HFEA) of the United Kingdom standards for Assisted Conception which are standards that have been drafted collaboratively by the professional bodies of the assisted conception sector and the HFEA of the United Kingdom.
These standards represent an approach that involves a ratification of legislative requirements with best practice guidelines from professional bodies and the HFEA setting standards in partnership with the professional bodies.
In April 2006, the European Tissues and Cells Directive came into force, and HFEA inspections under the Directive will start from April 2007. This directive requires that all clinics licensed by the HFEA implement a quality management system as part of their processes. The Bridge Clinic implemented a quality management system certified by TUV Austria in 2004, three years ahead of the deadline and most clinics in the United Kingdom.
Work Flow
Our workflow at The Bridge Clinic involves processes, which are studied, documented and developed, and we have systems in place to ensure that these processes are being consistently reviewed. All processes are linked and there is interplay with all processes.
External Audits
The HFEA performs an annual audit of the results of treatment from all licensed clinics in the United Kingdom. We have always had informal audits from Dr Virginia Bolton formerly of Kings College Hospital now at St. Guy’s Hospital, London, and Mr. John Parsons who both used to be a HFEA inspector. In May 2007, we had a visit from Mr. John Parson and Dr Martha Jansa Perez of King’s college Hospital, London, to review our processes and procedures, which aimed towards the continuous improvement of our services to our clients.
Result Verification
The Bridge Clinic was set up to provide high quality fertility treatment including IVF (and ICSI) to Nigerians in Nigeria. Since inception, we have completed over 3,000 IVF/ICSI treatment cycles with the birth of over 700 babies following treatment at both clinics.
The HFEA publishes an annual report of the results of treatment in all clinics licensed in the United Kingdom. There are no such verification bodies here in Nigeria and in order to authenticate the results of treatment at The Bridge Clinic, we invited the international audit firm of Akintola Williams Deloitte to verify the results of treatment at The Bridge Clinic. The initial exercise looked at the period 1999 to 2005 but the exercise will be repeated annually, published and uploaded on The Bridge Clinic’s website.
Staff Proficiency and Certification
Following initial/basic and update training, the proficiency/competence of each staff to perform assigned activities is evaluated and certified at intervals specified in the quality management system. Retraining is also undertaken when indicated.
Reducing Risks Associated with IVF Treatment
There are many risks associated with IVF treatment but this section looks at laboratory related risks such as gamete mix up and the risks of cross infection of viruses such as HIV.
The widely publicised problems with gamete mix-up in two UK clinics led the HFEA to mandate that all clinics carrying out IVF services introduce a witnessing program to control all activities that involves the handling of human gametes to eliminate the risk of gamete mix-up. The Bridge Clinic introduced a witnessing program as an essential part of our treatment program and the quality management system in 2003.
In terms of cross infection, we have always had a strict hygiene policy and used disposable consumables but we have recently introduced individual personalised incubators and high security straws for sperm freezing to eliminate the risk of cross infection from our liquid nitrogen storage dewars in addition to ensuring that all couples using our services are screened.
Equipment Validation Processes
At The Bridge Clinic, we evaluate the validation of all equipment especially in the Laboratory with strict adherence to the manufacturer’s recommendation, which also covers review of validation documentation.
Supplier/Logistics management
Supplier partnership is established at The Bridge Clinic through the evaluation and selection of the suppliers based on their ability to supply products in accordance with the organisation’s requirements. Criteria for selection, evaluation and re-evaluation are established on regular basis.
Customer Feedback
The Bridge Clinic celebrates excellent customer satisfaction by implementing the customer satisfaction survey program and setting up an effective system for handling complaints.
Continuous Improvement Process
Continual improvement process of the quality management system is strictly adhered to on a quarterly basis where action plans for improvement are developed, documented, implemented and reviewed.
This structure is consistently reviewed annually and audited quarterly to ensure an effective and efficient Quality Management System.
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Quality Management 
