Assessment of an educational intervention for embryologists to reduce gamete and embryo misidentification in in vitro fertilization laboratories

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a standardized Simultaneous, Aloud, inFormation, Electronic witnessing, Monitoring, One by one, and DocumEnt (SAFE MODE)-based training program in improving embryologists’ patient safety awareness and procedural performance, aiming to reduce the risk of gamete and embryo misidentification.Methods: This multicenter, cross-sectional pre–post survey study was conducted across six in vitro fertilization (IVF) centers within the CHA University Global IVF Group in South Korea. Ninety-nine embryologists provided valid responses, and 53.5% had less than 1 year of experience. Participants completed a 14-session online training program (40 min/session) based on the SAFE MODE framework: simultaneous checking, calling aloud together, information double-checking, electronic witnessing, visual monitoring together, one-by-one handling, and document cross-checking. A 17-item, 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was used to assess safety awareness and procedural performance. Analyses included paired and independent t-tests, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis (SPSS ver. 25.0).Results: Safety awareness scores increased significantly from 3.65 to 3.97 (p<0.05); procedural performance scores increased from 3.82 to 4.17 (p<0.01). Embryologists with less than 1 year of experience showed the greatest improvement, with scores increasing from 3.43 to 4.00 (p<0.05). Completion of all 14 sessions was associated with higher performance scores than mid-term training completion (4.17 vs. 3.85, p<0.01). Post-training safety awareness was positively correlated with post-training performance (r=0.215, p<0.05).Conclusion: SAFE MODE-based training was associated with significant improvements in safety awareness and procedural performance, particularly among embryologists with less than 1 year of experience. This approach may offer a practical strategy for reducing laboratory error risk and strengthening patient safety in IVF.