Gold seal of approval for BFC

Barbados Fertility Centre is celebrating this week after receiving the gold seal of approval from the Joint Commission International, who have announced that Barbados Fertility Centre (BFC) has been reaccredited, meaning the clinic have maintained the highest standards since the gold seal was first awarded to them in 2007.

Ann Jacobson, Executive Director at Joint Commission International said, “Barbados Fertility Centre is focussing on this most challenging goal – to continuously raise quality to higher levels.’ Ms Jacobson went on to congratulate the team at BFC for this significant achievement.

Joint Commission International is the US health facility accreditation programme that set health care industry standards across the world, to give patients assurance that medical establishments have undergone stringent testing so that patients can make an informed choice within a level playing field.

BFC were tested for their patient’s pain assessment & management, the risk assessment prior to treatments and medical procedures, the storage and handling of hazardous materials, the regular inspection and maintenance of equipment, the clear identification of job descriptions and of medical staff credentials.

This is excellent news as it assures international assures patients that the quality of care they will receive when deciding on BFC for IVF treatment is as good if not better than clinics in their home countries of the USA or the UK.

The accreditation process is considered by BFC to be essential in improving the quality of care given to patients, and that by investing in new quality measurement systems, resources and staff training they are providing the best treatment for continued high success rates in IVF cycles. These quality standards also ensure continuous improvement as they are continually monitored.

Since opening in 2002, they have year on year increased the number of couples conceiving through the creation of a stress reduced environment for couples under going IVF treatment. Couples from Barbados, the Caribbean, USA, UK, Canada and other European countries are now proud parents after successful treatment at BFC.

BFC is one of the first IVF units in the world to offer a combination of medical tradition and a holistic approach by treating couples both mentally and physically with massage, reflexology, acupuncture and counselling on managing the whole IVF procedure. BFC believes that their approach of allowing couples to relax whilst undergoing their Healthy Mind and Body programme is why they are so successful. All of this combined with accreditation to ensure the quality of patient care, can only mean constant improvement in the service that they provide.

Success rates at Barbados Fertility Centre

Dr. Juliet Skinner, Head Clinician at BFC said, “We believe our high clinical and laboratory standards, our commitment to JCI accreditation and the relaxing environment of our beautiful island contribute to our high success – of which we are very proud.”

BFC saw brilliant success rates in 2009 on women under 35 using Blastocyst with 71% achieving a pregnancy.  In the under 40 age group they saw 56%. For women under 38 who had IVF/ICSI at BFC success rates were 68%. This compares to a 42% success rate in USA and 22% in the UK in the same age group.

Anybody who has tried to conceive for 12 months without achieving a pregnancy should seek medical intervention.