Impact of rotavirus vaccination on paediatric hospital pressures, v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Impact of rotavirus vaccination on hospital pressures at a large paediatric hospital in the UK: an ecological study
IRAS ID
193043
Contact name
Nigel Cunliffe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
GlaxoSmithKline UK ltd.
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Background
During the winter/spring months there is an increased incidence of infectious diseases in children causing a high burden on hospital care. Rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) is a major cause of hospital admission in children during the winter/spring months. Since July 2013 rotavirus vaccination has been part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule in the UK, and early impact studies suggest a significantly reduced incidence of RVGE hospitalisations in children since vaccine introduction. It is possible that this has allowed a “knock-on” effect on hospital pressures and associated management of seasonal non-rotavirus illness. The purpose of this study is to assess the disease burden at a large paediatric hospital pre and post rotavirus vaccine introduction. As there are no direct measures of hospital pressure, evidenced proxy indicators will be used.
Methods
The study will employ an ecological design, utilising routine hospital care data before and after rotavirus vaccine introduction (July 2000-June 2015). Anonymised patient-level data on all hospital admissions including laboratory test data will be retrospectively collected. Additional data will include ward-level data on bed availability and staff level data. Outcome measures will include bed day occupancy rates; turnover rates (change in average hospital duration); nosocomial infections rates; early unplanned readmission rates; waiting times by specialty. Analyses will be performed at hospital and ward level, comparing the pre and post vaccination period. Development of a Quality of Care score will be explored to summarize outcome measures.
Discussion
The impact of rotavirus vaccination on burden of disease has been well documented. However, the anticipated reduction in hospital pressures has yet to be described. This study will provide quantitative measures of hospital pressure before and after vaccine introduction, provide a template for future hospital pressures studies related to vaccine introduction and provide measures which could be used in an economic evaluation.REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NE/0410
Date of REC Opinion
27 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion