Monash IVF has announced an expansion of an investigation into its practices following a second significant embryo transfer error within two months.

The incident took place at the fertility provider's Clayton clinic in Melbourne, where a woman was mistakenly given her own embryo instead of one created with her partner.

This error follows a similar mix-up at the Brisbane clinic earlier this year, where a Queensland woman gave birth to a child conceived through a stranger's embryo.

In a statement provided to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), Monash IVF expressed its sincere apologies to the affected couple, asserting that an internal investigation was underway.

The company confirmed it would enhance safeguards, including additional verification processes and electronic witnessing systems, although it noted that some procedures would still require manual witnessing.

Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas criticized the clinic, emphasizing the need for families to have confidence in the quality of care they receive.

She stated that the Health Regulator had been notified of the mishap, insisting that Monash IVF must fully cooperate with the investigation.

"It is clear Monash IVF has failed in delivering that - which is completely unacceptable," Thomas remarked.

Last year, Monash IVF reached a $56 million settlement in a class action involving 700 families over a genetic testing error that impacted numerous families’ reproductive options.

In light of the recent incidents, experts in the field are calling for increased transparency and improved communication regarding such errors.

Some have indicated that without mandatory reporting requirements, the full extent of such mix-ups within the industry may never be adequately understood.

Dr. Petra Wale, president of the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand, asserted that Australia has one of the safest and most regulated assisted reproductive technology (ART) systems globally.

While recognizing the emotional distress caused by this incident, she noted that such mix-ups are exceedingly rare.

Despite these reassurances, experts like Professor Gab Kovacs, a retired medical director of Monash IVF, indicated that human errors are inevitable given the volume of ART procedures performed.

He highlighted that while Monash IVF is publicly listed and thus subject to reporting regulations, similar errors are likely occurring at other, non-public facilities without notice.

The regulatory framework requires that 24 licensed ART clinics in Victoria report all adverse events to the state's Health Regulator.

However, while the regulator provides data on general clinical errors, specific details regarding embryo transfer mishaps are not disclosed, which raises issues of accountability and patient safety.

The latest incident has also affected Monash IVF's financial performance.

Following the announcement about the embryo transfer error, the company's share price fell from 74 cents to 54 cents, illustrating ongoing investor concerns about the company's management and operational integrity.

This decline follows a previous drop related to the earlier Brisbane incident, where shares fell from $1.08 to 69 cents.

In light of these incidents, local experts are advocating for a thorough independent review to evaluate the procedures at Monash IVF and the adequacy of its operational protocols to protect patients.

As the investigation unfolds, the focus will likely remain on improving standards within the assisted reproductive sector.