Defining the typical work environment for assisted reproductive technology laboratories in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
To determine time and staffing requirements as they relate to laboratory personnel in the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART).


METHODS
Descriptive study.


METHODS
Assisted reproductive technology clinics in the United States.


METHODS
All personnel working in ART laboratories, which included laboratory directors and technicians (those laboratory personnel trained in specific areas of embryology, andrology, and endocrinology).


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Frequencies were determined for time and staffing requirements as they pertained to individuals and procedures (e.g., oocyte retrieval, embryo transfer, semen analysis, hormone assay, etc.) performed in embryology, andrology, and endocrine laboratories.


RESULTS
Two different surveys of ART clinics in the United States were combined in this report. The average technician worked 40 hours a week, whereas the average laboratory director worked 49 hours per week. The average embryologist performed 181 procedures (not cases) per year. The average andrologist performed 648 procedures (not cases) per year, while the average endocrinologist completed 2,673 procedures (not cases) per year.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report to describe time and staffing requirements as they relate to the laboratory personnel in an ART facility.
Boone
William R
WR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Greenville Hospital System, Greenville, South Carolina 29605-5601, USA. bboone@ghs.org
Higdon
H Lee
HL
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008503:Medical Staff / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data