Training activity information
Details
Prepare consumables and media for:
- Oocyte collection
- IVF/ICSI
- Fertilisation checks
- Embryo culture
- Embryo transfer
- Cryopreservation
- Thawing/warming
- Sperm preparation
Type
Entrustable training activity (ETA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee repeatedly, consistently, and effectively over time, in a range of situations. This may include occasions where the trainee has not successfully achieved the outcome of the activity themselves. For example, because it was not appropriate to undertake the task in the circumstances or the trainees recognised their own limitations and sought help or advice to ensure the activity reached an appropriate conclusion.
Reflection at multiple timepoints on the trainee learning journey for this activity.
Considerations
- Aseptic technique
- Water purity, osmolality, pH, temperature, protein supplements, antibiotics, microbiological contamination and their effect on gamete and embryo viability in culture
- Physiological requirements of an embryo at the different stages of development in culture
- CE marking
- Role in maintaining patient safety
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
What does success look like?
- Identify what is expected of you in relation to preparing consumables and media for procedures like oocyte collection, IVF/ICSI, embryo culture, and cryopreservation.
- Consider how the learning outcomes apply, specifically in relation to applying sterile culture techniques, adhering to quality management and regulatory standards, and demonstrating safe and effective practice, minimising risk.
- Discuss with your Training Officer to gain clarity of what is expected of you in relation to the specific preparation protocols and sterility expectations for each type of consumable or media.
What is your prior experience of this activity?
- Think about what you already know about preparing sterile solutions, handling sensitive media, or working with consumables in a laboratory environment.
- Consider possible challenges you might face during the activity, such as maintaining sterility, accurate measurement, or avoiding contamination.
- Recognise the scope of your own practice for this activity i.e. know when you will need to seek advice or help, and from whom. You will need to seek advice from your Training Officer when required, for example, if the media preparation involves a complex or critical step where accuracy is paramount.
- Acknowledge how you feel about undertaking the preparation steps for these different procedures.
What do you anticipate you will learn from the experience?
- Consider the specific skills you want to develop, such as aseptic technique, media handling, or preparation for different procedures.
- Identify the specific insights you hope to gain into the critical importance of correct preparation for gamete and embryo viability and the overall success of IVF procedures.
What additional considerations do you need to make?
- Consult actions identified following previous experiences of media or consumable preparation.
- Identify important information you need to consider before embarking on the activity, such as media lot numbers, specific mixing instructions, or required volumes for different procedures.
- Access peer reviewed publications specifically addressing the IVF dish set up process.
In action
Is anything unexpected occurring?
- Are you noticing anything surprising or different from what you anticipate whilst preparing consumables and media?
- Are you encountering situations such as:
- Suspecting a break in sterile technique or noticing a potential contamination risk in the environment as you work?
- A consumable item appears faulty or the media looks unusual or inconsistent?
How are you reacting to the unexpected development?
- How is this impacting your actions? For example, are you responding to the situation appropriately? Are you immediately adjusting your aseptic technique or changing your approach to handling the consumables?
- Consider the steps you are taking in the moment, such as physically isolating the potentially contaminated item or pausing to check the specific mixing instructions for the media.
- How are you feeling in that moment? For instance, are you finding it difficult to maintain sterility while feeling rushed? Is it affecting your confidence in your aseptic skills for this particular preparation step?
What is the conclusion or outcome?
- Identify how you are working within your scope of practice. For example, did you successfully apply the necessary aseptic techniques and proceed with the preparation? Or are you needing support because the media preparation involves a complex or critical step that requires immediate technical or supervisory input?
- What are you learning as a result of the unexpected development? For example, are you gaining insight into managing contamination risks or refining your aseptic technique in real-time?
On action
What happened?
- Begin by summarising the key steps you took when preparing media and consumables for a specific procedure (e.g., embryo culture).
- Consider specific events, actions, or interactions which felt important, such as applying strict aseptic techniques during media aliquoting and ensuring the correct media is used.
- Did you perform the task in a timely manner to avoid evaporation of media?
- Include any ‘reflect-in-action’ moments where you had to adapt to the situation as it unfolded, for instance, immediately physically isolating a potentially contaminated item.
- How did you feel during this experience, e.g., focused on maintaining sterility and accuracy?
How has this experience contributed to your developing practice?
- Identify what learning you can take from this experience regarding preparing media and consumables for the procedure and applying sterile culture techniques. What strengths did you demonstrate, e.g., effective application of aseptic technique during handling?
- What skills and/or knowledge gaps were evident, e.g., unfamiliarity with preparation for a less familiar procedure?
- Compare this experience against previous engagement with similar activities – were any previously identified actions for development achieved? Has your practice improved in pipette handling?
- Identify any challenges you experienced, such as potential contamination, and how you reacted to this. This might include needing to seek advice or clarification on scope of practice regarding discarding potentially contaminated materials, and how you reacted to this.
What will you take from the experience moving forward?
- Identify the actions or ‘next steps’ you will now take to support the assimilation of what you have learnt, including from any feedback you have received, with regards to refining the execution of complex preparation techniques.
- What will you do differently next time you approach media preparation, for instance, by proactively double-checking the type of media and the use-by date?
- Do you need to practise any aspect of the activity further, such as sterile technique or improving your speed.
Beyond action
Have you revisited the experiences?
- How have your subsequent experiences of media preparation or handling sterile consumables since completing this specific training activity led you to revisit your initial approach or decisions during that activity? For example, how an instance where a subsequent contamination incident required immediate investigation of aseptic handling forced you to re-evaluate the rigour of your sterile culture techniques during your first attempt at this training activity.
- Considering what you understand about sterile culture techniques, media composition, and quality standards now, were the actions or considerations you identified after your initial reflection on this training activity sufficient? How have you since implemented or adapted improvements in your aseptic technique and detailed preparation protocols based on further learning and experiences? For example, how you proactively integrated observable behaviours and practices related to aseptic technique and accurate preparation based on further learning.
- Has discussing challenges related to media preparation or the critical role of aseptic technique with colleagues, peers, or supervisors changed how you now view your initial experience in this training activity? For example, how professional storytelling with a senior colleague about using the incorrect media refined your understanding of the critical nature of precision in preparation protocols.
How have these experiences impacted upon current practice?
- How has the learning from this initial training activity, in combination with subsequent media preparation experiences, contributed to your overall confidence and ability in applying sterile techniques for culture systems, particularly in preparing for assessments like DOPS or OCEs? For example, how your accumulated skills developed in applying sterile techniques and following detailed preparation protocols now enables you to confidently perform preparations, such as preparing dishes for gamete/embryo culture using aseptic technique, during observed ‘in-person’ assessments.
- How has reflecting back on this specific training activity, combined with everything you’ve learned since, shaped your current approach to handling and using culture media and sterile items? How does this evolved understanding help you identify when something is beyond your scope of practice or requires escalation? For example, how your evolved approach means you now routinely seek advice from your Training Officer immediately if you suspect a break in sterile technique, recognising that contamination risks require immediate supervisory input to minimise risk.
- Looking holistically at your training journey, how has this initial media preparation experience, revisited with your current perspective, contributed to your development in meeting the learning outcomes related to applying sterile culture techniques and demonstrating safe and effective practice, minimising risk? For example, how this foundational experience has supported your development in aseptic technique, precision in preparation, and understanding of the culture environment, skills that are necessary for ensuring optimal conditions for gametes and embryos.
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Apply sterile culture techniques to maintain the viability of cultured gametes and embryos. |
| # 2 |
Outcome
Practice in accordance with quality management and regulatory standards. |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Demonstrate safe and effective practice, minimising risk to all staff and patients. |