A water main break at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital on Christmas Eve has wreaked havoc for hundreds of patients relying on the facility for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. The flood caused by the break forced the IVF clinic’s closure, delaying or completely stalling fertility procedures for around 300 individuals, according to reports by Boston 25 News and the Boston Globe.
During a repair to a different problem, the hospital witnessed the breakage at approximately 1 a.m. on December 24, with damage primarily localized to the walls of the IVF laboratory. Brigham and Women's Hospital spokesperson Jessica Pastore confirmed in a statement obtained by the Boston Globe that, despite the walls being inundated, all eggs and embryos have been confirmed safe in secure, monitored cryo-tanks, however, the tanks have become inaccessible while repairs are underway, which could take a month.
Many patients have had their appointments for embryo transfers abruptly canceled or rescheduled, with procedures dependent on the completion of repairs and subsequent safety testing of the clinic's environment. Those who were set for fresh transfers have been offered alternatives at Boston IVF, an affiliate of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. A statement acquired by Boston 25 News from the Brigham’s spokesperson revealed that they are coordinating with patients to minimize disruption by providing options at the alternative site.
The incident marked the second major disruption to Brigham and Women's IVF clinic within ten years, as the same facility experienced similar flooding back in 2014. Back then, necessary collaborations with Boston IVF were also initiated as a contingency plan. This time, Brigham and Women's Hospital is said to be making further adjustments - including the installation of water shutoffs on multiple floors to prevent such incidents from recurring, Pastore told the Boston Globe.
Alexis Goulette, who runs an IVF support group on Facebook, voiced concerns to the Boston Globe about the lack of emotional support and clarity regarding financial compensation for the affected women, many of whom are coping with the dual burden of delayed dreams and unwelcome financial impacts, with no definitive answers provided by the hospital. With the new year bringing in new insurance deductibles, the cost of these delays hit patients’ wallets just as hard as their hearts.
In an effort to provide assistance, Resolve New England, a regional infertility support nonprofit, held a free virtual support group session to help those affected cope with the setbacks. Meanwhile, the Brigham has recommended reaching out to their patient and family relations department for those seeking guidance amidst the ongoing reconstruction.
