Fertility CEO resigns after embryo transferred to wrong patient in major bungle
The board accepted Mr Knaap's resignation just two months after a similar incident occurred at a Brisbane clinic.
Monash IVF confirmed on June 10 that a patient was transferred her own embryo, rather than her partner's, at its Clayton clinic in Melbourne.
Monash IVF believes the June 5 bungle will "fall within the scope of its insurance coverage" as insurers were notified.
It comes two months after a Queensland woman gave birth to a stranger's child in an embryo mix-up at Monash IVF's Brisbane clinic.
Monash IVF said in a statement to the ASX that an internal investigation would be conducted.
The scope of an independent review into the Queensland mix-up, conducted by Fiona McLeod, would also be "extended", Monash IVF said.
Additional processes would be put in place at Monash IVF to avoid a similar mistake, the clinic said.
"Commencing immediately, Monash IVF will implement interim additional verification processes and patient confirmation safeguards over and above normal practice and electronic witness systems, to ensure patients and clinicians have every confidence in its processes," the clinic said.
"Whilst industry-leading electronic witness systems have and are being rolled out across Monash IVF, there remain instances and circumstances whereby manual witnessing is required.
"Monash IVF has disclosed the Incident to the relevant assisted reproductive technology (ART) regulators, namely the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee certifying body and Victorian Health Regulator.
The fertility clinic said it has "extended its sincere apologies to the affected couple".
University of Melbourne associate professor Alex Polyakov, a medical director of Genea Fertility Melbourne, said Australia's assisted reproduction sector was internationally recognised for its "rigorous oversight".
"The report of a second embryo transfer error is profoundly troubling and, while still extremely rare, shifts this issue from an isolated anomaly to one demanding broader reflection," he said.
"IVF clinics operate within some of the most highly regulated and scrutinised environments in medicine.
"Multiple safeguards, including dual verification and electronic tracking, exist at every step to prevent precisely this kind of error."
Monash IVF CEO Michael Knaap resigned on June 12 just days after the fertility behemoth admitted to the transfer of the wrong embryo into a patient.
The board accepted Mr Knaap's resignation just two months after a similar incident occurred at a Brisbane clinic.
Monash IVF confirmed on June 10 that a patient was transferred her own embryo, rather than her partner's, at its Clayton clinic in Melbourne.
Monash IVF believes the June 5 bungle will "fall within the scope of its insurance coverage" as insurers were notified.
It comes two months after a Queensland woman gave birth to a stranger's child in an embryo mix-up at Monash IVF's Brisbane clinic.
Monash IVF said in a statement to the ASX that an internal investigation would be conducted.
The scope of an independent review into the Queensland mix-up, conducted by Fiona McLeod, would also be "extended", Monash IVF said.
Additional processes would be put in place at Monash IVF to avoid a similar mistake, the clinic said.
"Commencing immediately, Monash IVF will implement interim additional verification processes and patient confirmation safeguards over and above normal practice and electronic witness systems, to ensure patients and clinicians have every confidence in its processes," the clinic said.
"Whilst industry-leading electronic witness systems have and are being rolled out across Monash IVF, there remain instances and circumstances whereby manual witnessing is required.
"Monash IVF has disclosed the Incident to the relevant assisted reproductive technology (ART) regulators, namely the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee certifying body and Victorian Health Regulator.
The fertility clinic said it has "extended its sincere apologies to the affected couple".
University of Melbourne associate professor Alex Polyakov, a medical director of Genea Fertility Melbourne, said Australia's assisted reproduction sector was internationally recognised for its "rigorous oversight".
"The report of a second embryo transfer error is profoundly troubling and, while still extremely rare, shifts this issue from an isolated anomaly to one demanding broader reflection," he said.
"IVF clinics operate within some of the most highly regulated and scrutinised environments in medicine.
"Multiple safeguards, including dual verification and electronic tracking, exist at every step to prevent precisely this kind of error."
Monash IVF CEO Michael Knaap resigned on June 12 just days after the fertility behemoth admitted to the transfer of the wrong embryo into a patient.
The board accepted Mr Knaap's resignation just two months after a similar incident occurred at a Brisbane clinic.
Monash IVF confirmed on June 10 that a patient was transferred her own embryo, rather than her partner's, at its Clayton clinic in Melbourne.
Monash IVF believes the June 5 bungle will "fall within the scope of its insurance coverage" as insurers were notified.
It comes two months after a Queensland woman gave birth to a stranger's child in an embryo mix-up at Monash IVF's Brisbane clinic.
Monash IVF said in a statement to the ASX that an internal investigation would be conducted.
The scope of an independent review into the Queensland mix-up, conducted by Fiona McLeod, would also be "extended", Monash IVF said.
Additional processes would be put in place at Monash IVF to avoid a similar mistake, the clinic said.
"Commencing immediately, Monash IVF will implement interim additional verification processes and patient confirmation safeguards over and above normal practice and electronic witness systems, to ensure patients and clinicians have every confidence in its processes," the clinic said.
"Whilst industry-leading electronic witness systems have and are being rolled out across Monash IVF, there remain instances and circumstances whereby manual witnessing is required.
"Monash IVF has disclosed the Incident to the relevant assisted reproductive technology (ART) regulators, namely the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee certifying body and Victorian Health Regulator.
The fertility clinic said it has "extended its sincere apologies to the affected couple".
University of Melbourne associate professor Alex Polyakov, a medical director of Genea Fertility Melbourne, said Australia's assisted reproduction sector was internationally recognised for its "rigorous oversight".
"The report of a second embryo transfer error is profoundly troubling and, while still extremely rare, shifts this issue from an isolated anomaly to one demanding broader reflection," he said.
"IVF clinics operate within some of the most highly regulated and scrutinised environments in medicine.
"Multiple safeguards, including dual verification and electronic tracking, exist at every step to prevent precisely this kind of error."
Monash IVF CEO Michael Knaap resigned on June 12 just days after the fertility behemoth admitted to the transfer of the wrong embryo into a patient.
The board accepted Mr Knaap's resignation just two months after a similar incident occurred at a Brisbane clinic.
Monash IVF confirmed on June 10 that a patient was transferred her own embryo, rather than her partner's, at its Clayton clinic in Melbourne.
Monash IVF believes the June 5 bungle will "fall within the scope of its insurance coverage" as insurers were notified.
It comes two months after a Queensland woman gave birth to a stranger's child in an embryo mix-up at Monash IVF's Brisbane clinic.
Monash IVF said in a statement to the ASX that an internal investigation would be conducted.
The scope of an independent review into the Queensland mix-up, conducted by Fiona McLeod, would also be "extended", Monash IVF said.
Additional processes would be put in place at Monash IVF to avoid a similar mistake, the clinic said.
"Commencing immediately, Monash IVF will implement interim additional verification processes and patient confirmation safeguards over and above normal practice and electronic witness systems, to ensure patients and clinicians have every confidence in its processes," the clinic said.
"Whilst industry-leading electronic witness systems have and are being rolled out across Monash IVF, there remain instances and circumstances whereby manual witnessing is required.
"Monash IVF has disclosed the Incident to the relevant assisted reproductive technology (ART) regulators, namely the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee certifying body and Victorian Health Regulator.
The fertility clinic said it has "extended its sincere apologies to the affected couple".
University of Melbourne associate professor Alex Polyakov, a medical director of Genea Fertility Melbourne, said Australia's assisted reproduction sector was internationally recognised for its "rigorous oversight".
"The report of a second embryo transfer error is profoundly troubling and, while still extremely rare, shifts this issue from an isolated anomaly to one demanding broader reflection," he said.
"IVF clinics operate within some of the most highly regulated and scrutinised environments in medicine.
"Multiple safeguards, including dual verification and electronic tracking, exist at every step to prevent precisely this kind of error."
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News.com.au
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- News.com.au
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Herald Sun
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News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Audeara and Ear Science cut a new track in bone conduction tech
Audeara teams with Ear Science in $100,000 bone tech push Pilot aims to help kids hear without losing the world around them Bone conduction market surges toward multi-billion future Audeara (ASX:AUA) has just tuned into a new frequency. Last week, it locked in a $100,000-backed collaboration with Ear Science Institute Australia to explore bone conduction hearing solutions in high-need communities. The project kicks off this month with testing, community input and gear on the ground, and with children front and centre. "Supporting children to hear well in and outside the classroom has lifelong benefits, and we're proud to play a role in exploring how this technology can make a difference," said Audeara's CEO, Dr James Fielding. The pilot lands at the right time. Bone conduction is moving out of niche territory and into the mainstream. Global sales of bone conduction hearing aids are expected to jump from US$376.65 million in 2025 to more than US$600 million by 2030. Consumer bone conduction headphones are running even hotter, heading toward US$7 billion by 2033. Why bone conduction matters Bone conduction sends sound vibrations through the skull, bypassing the eardrum entirely. It works because those vibrations travel directly through the bones, straight to your inner ear's cochlea, triggering the same hearing response as air-conducted sound. For people with conductive or mixed hearing loss, like kids with chronic ear infections, it can be life changing. And because it leaves the ear canal open, users stay aware of what's happening around them. Adjunct Professor Rob Eikelboom who leads the project at Ear Science, says the work is about bridging the gap between the clinic and the living room. 'We're not developing medical devices; we're focused on assistive listening technology that fills a gap between clinical care and everyday support," he said. 'This pilot will help us shape what that looks like in the real world.' The aim is to make the tech effective, affordable, and simple enough to fit into everyday routines. Whether you're in a school hall, a living room, or halfway through a holiday road trip, it should feel effortless. From classrooms to conversations One of the advantages of bone conduction is that it works alongside natural hearing. In a classroom, a child can hear the teacher without losing the chatter that makes them feel part of the group. At home, they can follow a conversation and still catch the clink of cutlery from the kitchen. 'Unlike traditional over-ear or in-ear headphones, bone conduction leaves the ear canal open, which means users can still hear ambient sounds and engage naturally with their environment,' said Eikelboom. It also improves what's known as the signal-to-noise ratio, letting important sounds cut through without silencing the rest of the world. Handy in a classroom, yes, but equally valuable in a busy park, at a community event, or around a dinner table. What success looks like While the trial will include schools, the scope is much broader. The aim is to make sure kids can connect with the people and environments that matter to them, wherever they are. Missing out on those everyday sounds, says Eikelboom, puts kids at a disadvantage. And he's got a pretty clear picture of what success looks like: 'Success, first and foremost, is about improving the experience for children, helping them feel more engaged, and more confident. 'It's also about giving teachers, parents, and support staff the tools they need to support those children more effectively.' A successful pilot, Eikelboom adds, would give the team a solid base to refine the technology. From there, it could roll out across schools, other group settings, and future research partnerships. Why it could be worth investors' attention For Audeara investors, this has all the right ingredients. A market on the rise. A product that slots neatly into Audeara's existing network. And the credibility boost of partnering with Ear Science. Bone conduction gives the company a fresh growth track without the headache of regulated medical device manufacturing. Direct access to the right communities means the road from pilot to scale is shorter and well-lit. If it lands, this tech could live anywhere Audeara does – in classrooms, homes, workplaces and even on store shelves. At Stockhead we tell it like it is. While Audeara is a Stockhead advertiser, it did not sponsor this article.
