Winner
cobas Academy e-learning
Roche Diagnostics
Summary of work
Developed and launched by Roche Diagnostics UK in 2009, cobas Academy was the first e-learning package to link nurse training status together with automated (re)certification. However, there was confusion around the sales strategy and positioning resulting in poor acceptance by external customers and internal sales and support teams. This was particularly evident from customer feedback such as: ‘all training packages do the same thing’, ‘everyone has e-learning’. There were further complications around product development and uncertainty regarding future direction and investment.
cobas Academy provides training support for hospital ward staff on point-of-care testing devices and streamlines management information to ensure quality control, accreditation and compliance.
cobas Academy was re-launched to customers and internal stakeholders in January 2010 and by the end of the year the initiative had orders from over one-third of the installed point-of-care IT base. Combined with face-to-face support cobas Academy is the only training package in this sector to be accredited by the Royal College of Nursing and the Institute of Biomedical Scientists. It helps customers meet the QIPP challenge made by NHS Chief Executive David Nicholson in March 2010 by driving up quality while making best use of scarce resources.
Future investment has been secured through the transfer of development and support to Roche Europe, Middle East and Africa group with sales and installation targets at managing director level.
cobas Academy in combination with training specialist support was awarded the Silver award for Productive Working at the inaugural Nursing Times Product Awards in 2010.
Judges’ comments
“The initiative reveals a good understanding of how the healthcare environment will change in the coming years with respect to diagnostic testing, partly driven by cost saving. This campaign brought all the pieces together, linked to quality – there is a real need here as operator error rates can be significant. The 'lock in' mechanism and independent accreditation were impressive. It satisfied customer need and provided continuing professional development.”
