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Hurricane & Emergency Protocols for Fertility Treatments
In the event of a hurricane or emergency situation, safety, communication, and continued care are our priorities. The Fertility Institute has comprehensive emergency protocols to transfer the reproductive specimens in our care. Our specialists can also help you continue your IVF or ovulation induction cycle. Please note, that if this is a true emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Our Emergency Protocol
Some emergency situations require evacuation for an extended period of time, which may interfere with your fertility treatments. If you are unable to continue treatments at your customary site of care, you’ll want to take these steps:
Contact Our Specialists
During an emergency, we ask that you reach out to your FINO location to discuss the next steps in your treatment plan. We’ll be able to recommend options based on your needs. We also keep our website and social media routinely updated in these situations to ensure clear communication with our patients. In the event of a medical emergency, you can also reach out to us for instructions and to find a hospital with obstetrical care.
Patient Portal
Prepare for Evacuation
If you do need to evacuate for a period of time, it’s important to make sure you have everything you need on hand. Bring your medications, IVF supplies, and cycle plans with you, so we can help you continue your fertility treatments.
Find a New IVF Clinic
If you are undergoing IVF, you’ll need to find a temporary clinic to continue treatment. We recommend finding a clinic that is a member of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART). You can visit their website or contact them directly to find a clinic in your state.
FINO is also part of the First Fertility network of IVF centers and we can help provide continuum of care at one of our network centers. To find a First Fertility network center please visit firstfertility.com.
Protecting Embryos, Eggs, and Sperm
If our clinics need to close during an emergency, we have protocols in place to ensure the safe transfer of your reproductive specimens. Any fresh embryos, eggs, and sperm will undergo cryopreservation before being transferred and will be safely kept frozen until they’re needed for IVF.
Our cryopreservation tanks use liquid nitrogen to keep specimens frozen rather than electricity. This means a blackout or power outage will not disrupt the temperature. We have measures in place to automatically ensure proper nitrogen levels for up to two weeks, plus backup power if needed. Our tanks are monitored 24 hours a day and are protected by advanced alarm systems.
We value your trust at The Fertility Institute, which includes keeping your reproductive specimens safe during an emergency. Whether there is a hurricane, natural disaster, or other emergency, you can rely on consistent communication and continued care from our fertility specialists.