When you begin your fertility journey, your sperm, eggs and embryos aren’t just biological material - they’re your precious taonga. That’s why at Repromed, we’ve put world-class safeguards in place to protect them with the utmost care, precision, and respect.
In 2021, we were proud to be one of the first fertility clinics in Aotearoa to introduce the RI Witness programme. An internationally recognised identity verification system, RI Witnessing is designed to make sure that everything in our lab – from egg collection to embryo transfer – is correctly matched to you and only you.
What is RI Witness?
RI Witness is a highly secure electronic system designed to verify and safeguard your identity throughout your fertility treatment. It uses radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags on every dish, tube, and device that holds your sperm, eggs, or embryos in the lab.
How does RI Witness work?
Here’s how the RI Witness process works in our clinic:
1. Booking in for treatment
When you begin your fertility journey with us, we generate a personalised RI Witness card that includes your full name, date of birth, address, and a unique client code. This card is programmed into our secure client management system.
2. Cross-checking your details
Two trained staff members double-check that the details on your card match what’s shown on the RI Witness control tablet, ensuring accuracy right from the start.
3. Scanning your RI Witness card
Once verified, your card is scanned into our RI Witness system. From this point on, every action on your fertility journey is electronically checked against this ID.
4. Staff traceability and accountability
Every member of our clinical team signs in to the RI Witness system using password-protected logins and key fobs, providing a clear and accountable record of each step that has been taken.
5. On the day of treatment
When you arrive, our receptionist checks your photo ID against our schedule. You’ll then be given your RI Witness card on a lanyard to wear. Our team will also verbally confirm your name, date of birth and address at every interaction – a small but important step to make sure everything aligns.
In the lab
Here’s how the RI Witness process works in our lab:
6. Cell culture witnessing
In the lab, RI Witness technology ensures that eggs and embryos are correctly matched to the right client. Each workstation has an RI Witness plate and control tablet that read the RFID tags on test tubes and culture dishes. Your RI Witness card is placed on the plate to link the culture dishes to you. Once your assigned dish is placed on the plate, the workstation locks so only your assigned dishes can be used, preventing any mix-up’s.
All dishes and tubes are labelled with:
- Your full name
- Date of birth
- Your unique RI Witness ID number
- RFID tag
7. Sperm preparation
Sperm is managed in the same way, with full verification by two staff members and RFID-tagging. You’ll also be asked to confirm the labels and details yourself. All test tubes used in preparation are linked to your original ID.
8. When eggs and sperm meet
This is one of the most critical moments. When sperm and eggs are brought together, the RI Witness system confirms a perfect match before allowing any further steps. If they don’t match, an alarm sounds and the workstation is locked – safeguarding your taonga from any potential errors.
9. Final ID check: We got it right
Before your embryo transfer or IUI, we perform one final check. You’ll hand over your RI Witness card, and we confirm that the sperm or embryo about to be transferred is labelled and tagged to you.
Why choose Repromed?
We recognise that every person on a fertility journey has a different story, whakapapa, and set of needs. That’s why we combine the latest global technology with compassionate and respectful care.
At our Newmarket clinic, we offer:
- Professional expertise meeting the highest international standards
- World-class tools like RI Witness to protect your taonga
- Continuity of care – you’ll have the same team with you every step of the way
- Clear, compassionate communication
- Support for clients across Aotearoa
Take the first step
We are proud to be the only clinic in New Zealand offering a free 15-minute phone consultation with a fertility doctor. If you’re ready to start your journey or simply want to kōrero, we’re here for you.
Click here to book your free consult
FAQs
What happens if there’s a mismatch in the RI Witness system?
If the system detects that an item (such as a dish or test tube) doesn’t match the assigned client ID, it will trigger an alarm and automatically lock the workstation. This prevents any further action until the issue is resolved, making sure that your sperm, eggs or embryos are never mistakenly mixed or mis-labelled.
Does using the RI Witness system cost extra?
No, RI Witness is part of our standard laboratory practice and there are no additional charges for this level of protection. It’s simply part of our commitment to providing the highest quality care and safety for your fertility treatment.
What happens to my RI Witness card after treatment?
Your RI Witness card is securely stored at Repromed until after the completion of your final treatment cycle, when it is disposed of by a licensed medical waste facility.
