More than 2,000 frozen eggs and embryos have been left compromised at a Cleveland fertility clinic after a freezer malfunction caused temperatures to drop in the freezers storing them last weekend.
Temperatures unexpectedly fluctuated in the liquid nitrogen storage bank at the University Hospitals Fertility Clinic where the eggs and embryos were stored, according to a University Hospitals statement.
The organization said they have launched an investigation into the cause of the malfunction, bringing in multiple independent experts.
The eggs and embryos have been moved to a different cryotank in the meantime, but their viability remains questionable.
“We are incredibly sorry this happened. We are committed to getting answers and working with patients individually to address their concerns,” the University Hospitals statement said.
The error has affected more than 700 patients who have been notified of the situation, according to CNN affiliate WEWS.
The dilemma for those involved is that their eggs and embryos have to be completely thawed to determine whether or not they are still viable, but if thawed, they cannot be refrozen.
The facility has set up a call center for patients to arrange and appointment or calls to speak with their physicians.
“At this point we do not know the viability of all of the stored eggs and embryos, although we do know some have been impacted,” said Patti DePompei, president of UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in a video posted on Facebook Thursday. “Right now our patients and families are our first priority.”
It is unknown at this time how much it will cost to fix this, with University Hospitals saying it could mean procedure fees would be waived for future treatment, according to News 5 Cleveland.
