Training activity information
Details
Participate in a storage tank audit and draft the audit report
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Regulatory requirements
- In-house standard operating procedures
- Record keeping and traceability
- Health and safety
- Consent and screening requirements
- Risk assessments
- Quality management system
- Document management
- Troubleshooting
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 are the key aspects that are typically assessed during a cryostorage tank audit?
- What are the potential issues or non-compliances that an audit aims to identify?
- How does this activity contribute to ensuring the safe and secure long-term storage of cryopreserved gametes and embryos?
- What is the audit protocol or checklist used in your laboratory for storage tank audits?
- What are the critical parameters for monitoring and maintaining cryostorage tanks (e.g., liquid nitrogen levels, temperature alarms)?
- What are the regulatory requirements related to the storage and maintenance of cryopreserved material?
- How will you gain practical experience in performing a systematic audit?
- What are the key elements to include in a comprehensive audit report?
- How will this activity enhance your understanding of the importance of quality control and maintenance in cryostorage?
- Have you reviewed any previous storage tank audit reports to understand the scope and format?
- Have you familiarised yourself with the SOPs for cryostorage tank maintenance and monitoring?
- Have you discussed the audit process and your role in it with the person leading the audit?
In action
- Pay attention to how you are participating in the storage tank audit. What aspects of the tank and its records are you examining? How are you documenting your observations?
- What decisions are you making about what constitutes a potential issue or non-compliance? How are you prioritising your findings for the audit report?
- What aspects of the audit process feel more straightforward, and what requires more in-depth knowledge of cryostorage and regulatory requirements?
- How effectively are you contributing to the audit process? Are you identifying key areas of compliance and non-compliance?
- What challenges are you facing in accessing information, understanding the tank systems, or documenting your findings clearly and accurately in the draft report?
- What can you learn about the maintenance, safety, and regulatory oversight of cryostorage tanks through this participation?
- How does this activity connect to your understanding of risk management and quality assurance in the IVF laboratory?
- Are you adjusting your approach to the audit based on the specific findings or any unexpected issues that are identified?
- What support or guidance might you need from senior colleagues regarding the interpretation of audit findings or the drafting of the report?
- Are you ensuring that the audit is conducted in accordance with established protocols and regulatory guidelines?
On action
- Describe the aspects of the storage tank audit that you participated in. What areas or records did you examine? What were the key findings or observations made during the audit? Were there any areas of compliance or non-compliance identified?
- What did you learn about the maintenance, monitoring, and regulatory oversight of cryostorage tanks? Did you gain a better understanding of potential risks and safety measures? Were there any unexpected findings during the audit? What did you learn from these? How did your reflection-in-action influence your contribution to the audit and the drafting of the report? Did you focus on specific areas based on your real-time observations? How does this experience relate to the importance of quality management and risk assessment in the IVF laboratory?
- What areas for continued development in your understanding of cryostorage and audit procedures have been identified? How will you apply this learning to future audit participation or quality control activities? Will you pay closer attention to specific aspects of tank maintenance or record-keeping? What ‘next steps’ will you take to enhance your knowledge, such as reviewing audit protocols or discussing findings with senior staff? What support or resources might be beneficial for further development in this area?
Beyond action
- Consider the key findings of the audit and any recommendations made. Reflect on the importance of regular audits in maintaining the integrity of cryostorage. Review any subsequent audits of the same storage tank and compare the findings. Discuss the audit process and best practices with colleagues involved in quality management – has this deepened your understanding?
- Recognise the significance of storage tank integrity for the safe preservation of gametes and embryos. How has your understanding of potential issues within cryostorage systems and the importance of proactive maintenance increased since this activity? How has this experience influenced your awareness of monitoring procedures and record-keeping related to cryostorage in your wider practice? Consider how your participation in audits contributes to the clinic’s overall quality management system.
- Identify the skills you are developing in quality auditing, attention to detail, and report writing. Define how you will continue to contribute to maintaining the safety and security of cryostorage within the laboratory, potentially through future participation in audits and contributing to quality improvement initiatives.
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 3 |
Outcome
Practice safely in accordance with the statutory and regulatory requirements of micromanipulation and cryopreservation. |