BY SARAH AVERY, DUKE HEALTH NEWS OFFICE
The Duke Fertility Center has moved to a new location – centrally located between Raleigh and Durham, in Morrisville – that provides a range of features designed to enhance the patient experience and clinical outcomes. The center, which opened to patients in December 2021, is located within Duke Health Center Arringdon.
The new site features a large embryology laboratory with state-of-the art embryo culture incubators, workstations and isolettes that closely mimic the in vivo environment. Ultrasound rooms, procedure rooms and recovery rooms have also been designed to create a warm and welcoming experience.
Other features of the new site include numerous advanced technologies that promote optimal pregnancy outcomes, including:
- Electronic witnessing of sperm, eggs and embryos. Duke Fertility Center will be the first center in the area to implement a radio frequency identification technology to track sperm, eggs and embryos through each step of the laboratory process.
- An air filtration unit to eliminate harmful toxins in the air and ensure the highest pregnancy rates possible by targeting optimal culture conditions in the embryology lab.
- A cutting-edge system to leverage environmental data for early detection of potential issues and adverse trends. The monitoring system uses statistical analysis to generate meaningful statistics to ensure the highest pregnancy rates possible.
- Microscopes outfitted with the latest laser and micromanipulation technology to increase efficiencies and decrease exposure to ambient room conditions.
“Even in the midst of the pandemic – which has added an incredible burden to health care professionals – our people have maintained focus on how to offer better facilities, services and overall quality of care to our patients,” said John Sampson, MD, PhD, MBA, MHSc, president of the Private Diagnostic Clinic, the Duke faculty practice. “It is a testament to the concern we have for our patients and community, and demonstrates the added value of entrusting your wellness to Duke Health.”
The center continues to provide the full range of treatment options for heterosexual and LGBTQ+ couples, as well as individuals, to reach their reproductive wellness goals, including fertility medication, artificial insemination, screening of gestational carriers, reproductive endocrinology, fibroid, endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome treatments, fertility preservation, hormone management and age-related transitions, third-party reproduction programs and other services.