Finalist
Rotavirus online training portal
Summary of work
Rotavirus is a highly contagious viral infection that causes vomiting and diarrhoea, affecting almost every child under five. The cost to the NHS is high – £14.8m – and taking both the cost and impact into account the Department of Health added Rotarix to the national immunisation schedule in July 2013. Awareness of the vaccine and disease was low among HCPs (nurses administering vaccines) so to rectify this an online training portal was developed. The training covered five key areas, including epidemiology, rotavirus disease, efficacy, safety and Rotarix particulars with modular assessments. In addition, there is the opportunity to take a ‘Continuing Professional Development’ test (Royal College of Nurses accreditation).
In the first month following the launch, the site received 1,315 unique visitors (a significant increase on GSK’s anticipated 200 visitors) which may be linked to the provisional data which shows an excellent start to the national programme. Ninety three per cent of children evaluated at 25 weeks of age had received the first dose and 88% had completed both doses. Reports of rotavirus from July 2013 to March 2014 were 70% lower than the average in the seasons 2003/2004 to 2012/2013, which can be attributed to widespread confident usage of the vaccine.
Judges’ comments
This showed good application of active learning, helping nurses in a flexible way. It got to customers and tried to drive health outcomes.
