Frequently Asked Questions
Brillians: Core Features
About Brillians and Decision Support (6)
No. Brillians is NOT dependent on CPRS in any way. There have been many instances where CPRS was down, but the users could continue providing patient care using Brillians.
However, Brillians depends on the VistA system to get the clinical data. If the network is down, or the VistA system is down, then neither CPRS nor Brillians will work.
No. Brillians complements and “extends” the functionality in CPRS. Clinicians use Brillians and CPRS side-by-side.
Think of Brillians as an “Add-on” for CPRS. Brillians picks up where CPRS stops.
CPRS is a front-end to the clinical data stored in the VistA database. Its primary job is to display the requested data. Therefore, CPRS is only concerned with loading, displaying and saving data but NOT with what that data means. This creates two problems:
- If the provider does not request a certain data element, he/she may never see it, no matter how significant that data element is.
- The large volume of data overwhelms the provider and hides the critical elements of information in the large body of non-significant data.
To mitigate these issues, Brillians automates data analysis and assists providers with finding the proverbial “needle in the haystack.” Therefore, Brillians significantly reduces the risk of clinical errors due to missed clinical findings. In addition, it provides problem-oriented-data-views to expedite data review, and a number of time-saving, must have clinical practice tools.
The difference between CPRS and Brillians is the same as the difference between data and information! CPRS provides raw data. Brillians provides Actionable Information.
CPRS is a front-end to the data stored in the VistA database. Its primary job is to display requested data. Therefore, CPRS is only concerned with loading, displaying and saving data and NOT with what that data means. This creates two problems:
- If the provider does not request a certain data element, he/she may never see it, no matter how significant that data element is.
- The large volume of data overwhelms the provider and hides the critical elements of information in the large body of non-significant data.
To mitigate these issues, Brillians automates data analysis and assists providers with finding the proverbial “needle in the haystack.” Therefore, Brillians significantly reduces the risk of clinical errors due to missed clinical findings. In addition, it provides problem-oriented-data-views to expedite data review, and a number of time-saving, must have clinical practice tools.
The difference between CPRS and Brillians is the same as the difference between data and information!
CPRS provides the raw data. Brillians provides Actionable Information.
Brillians is designed to provide “Cognitive Support” and “Clinician Support” to ALL clinicians. Whether you are a provider, nurse, dietician, pharmacist or anyone else dealing with the CPRS data (e.g., QM chart reviews), Brillians helps with your intellectual work, and minimizes the time and effort spent on various tasks.
How is that possible? As a professional, all your decisions are data driven. To make those decisions, you need efficient access to clinical data. Unfortunately, the siloed design of CPRS creates bottlenecks to quick data access. Brillians provides a solution for nearly every CPRS bottleneck.
About Brillians and Decision Support (6)
No. Brillians is NOT dependent on CPRS in any way. There have been many instances where CPRS was down, but the users could continue providing patient care using Brillians.
However, Brillians depends on the VistA system to get the clinical data. If the network is down, or the VistA system is down, then neither CPRS nor Brillians will work.
No. Brillians complements and “extends” the functionality in CPRS. Clinicians use Brillians and CPRS side-by-side.
Think of Brillians as an “Add-on” for CPRS. Brillians picks up where CPRS stops.
CPRS is a front-end to the clinical data stored in the VistA database. Its primary job is to display the requested data. Therefore, CPRS is only concerned with loading, displaying and saving data but NOT with what that data means. This creates two problems:
- If the provider does not request a certain data element, he/she may never see it, no matter how significant that data element is.
- The large volume of data overwhelms the provider and hides the critical elements of information in the large body of non-significant data.
To mitigate these issues, Brillians automates data analysis and assists providers with finding the proverbial “needle in the haystack.” Therefore, Brillians significantly reduces the risk of clinical errors due to missed clinical findings. In addition, it provides problem-oriented-data-views to expedite data review, and a number of time-saving, must have clinical practice tools.
The difference between CPRS and Brillians is the same as the difference between data and information! CPRS provides raw data. Brillians provides Actionable Information.
CPRS is a front-end to the data stored in the VistA database. Its primary job is to display requested data. Therefore, CPRS is only concerned with loading, displaying and saving data and NOT with what that data means. This creates two problems:
- If the provider does not request a certain data element, he/she may never see it, no matter how significant that data element is.
- The large volume of data overwhelms the provider and hides the critical elements of information in the large body of non-significant data.
To mitigate these issues, Brillians automates data analysis and assists providers with finding the proverbial “needle in the haystack.” Therefore, Brillians significantly reduces the risk of clinical errors due to missed clinical findings. In addition, it provides problem-oriented-data-views to expedite data review, and a number of time-saving, must have clinical practice tools.
The difference between CPRS and Brillians is the same as the difference between data and information!
CPRS provides the raw data. Brillians provides Actionable Information.
Brillians is designed to provide “Cognitive Support” and “Clinician Support” to ALL clinicians. Whether you are a provider, nurse, dietician, pharmacist or anyone else dealing with the CPRS data (e.g., QM chart reviews), Brillians helps with your intellectual work, and minimizes the time and effort spent on various tasks.
How is that possible? As a professional, all your decisions are data driven. To make those decisions, you need efficient access to clinical data. Unfortunately, the siloed design of CPRS creates bottlenecks to quick data access. Brillians provides a solution for nearly every CPRS bottleneck.
Getting Started (8)
Yes, users can create custom content for their specialized needs. Brillians comes with a large library of commonly needed content. However, we can not anticipate every possible scenario. Therefore, personalization is supported to the extent possible.
For example, users can:
- Create personal “Problem Oriented Views of Data.”
- Personal Progress Note Templates.
- Personal Letter Templates
- Personal content for use by the Quick Keys feature (see training video).
- Personal content for use by the Auto Notes, i.e., “Dot Phrases” (see training video).
- Lab preferences on Inpatient and Outpatient dashboards
No. You will continue to use CPRS and other clinical Apps as you always do. You will use Brillians when needed.
For each patient you see:
- Load patient in CPRS and proceed with your usual steps (e.g., greet the patient, start a progress note, etc.).
- When you change patient in CPRS, Brillians prompts to synchronize with CPRS.
- If you take no action, after a few seconds, Brillians will automatically load the patient you have in CPRS (i.e., auto-synchronize with CPRS). You may continue working in CPRS while Brillians loads and processes data in the background.
- When ready, review the Advisories and other information in Brillians.
Please note that Brillians requires no work – not even a click – to load and analyze the data. It does NOT change your workflow and does not get in your way at all. Brillians does all its work in the background and waits for you to utilize the information and tools as necessary.
No. Brillians is NOT dependent on CPRS in any way. There have been many instances where CPRS was down, but the users could continue providing patient care using Brillians.
However, Brillians depends on the VistA system to get the clinical data. If the network is down, or the VistA system is down, then neither CPRS nor Brillians will work.
If Brillians is installed at your VAMC, the CPRS Tools menu has a link for Brillians either as “Brillians (SupraVISTA)” or “SupraVista” or some variation of the above. The link can be on the Tools menu itself, or on a sub-menu. Your colleagues and Clinical Informatics/CAC staff can help, if you don’t see the link.
Once you are running Brillians, please create a desktop link using the “Create Desktop Link” near the bottom of the “File” menu on Brillians’ main form.
You can start Brillians using the desktop icon even if CPRS is down (look for a green icon showing doctor’s bag with plus sign).
The difference between CPRS and Brillians is the same as the difference between data and information! CPRS provides raw data. Brillians provides Actionable Information.
CPRS is a front-end to the data stored in the VistA database. Its primary job is to display requested data. Therefore, CPRS is only concerned with loading, displaying and saving data and NOT with what that data means. This creates two problems:
- If the provider does not request a certain data element, he/she may never see it, no matter how significant that data element is.
- The large volume of data overwhelms the provider and hides the critical elements of information in the large body of non-significant data.
To mitigate these issues, Brillians automates data analysis and assists providers with finding the proverbial “needle in the haystack.” Therefore, Brillians significantly reduces the risk of clinical errors due to missed clinical findings. In addition, it provides problem-oriented-data-views to expedite data review, and a number of time-saving, must have clinical practice tools.
Most VHA clinical users have two monitors attached to their workstations. Even if there is only one monitor, Brillians will play nicely with CPRS and other Windows Apps. Having two monitors improves efficiency and productivity.
If you have two monitors, then please place CPRS on your primary monitor and Brillians on the 2nd monitor. For best results, these applications should not be covering each other.
On the modern, wide-screen monitors, the navigation between multiple Apps works best if you place the Windows taskbar along the right edge of the primary monitor. This takes some getting used to but increases efficiency significantly.
When you load a different patient in CPRS, Brillians displays a small window on top of CPRS. This displays countdown to auto synchronization. At this point, there are three options.
- If you take no action, after a few seconds, Brillians will automatically load the patient you have in CPRS (i.e., auto-synchronize with CPRS). You may continue working in CPRS while Brillians loads and processes data in the background.
- Press the Control-F8 key to cancel synchronization.
- Press the Control-F12 key to immediately load the patient without waiting for the countdown.
Brillians is designed for clinical staff, not computer geeks. Therefore, the user interface is simple, intuitive and easy to navigate. All the features have similar layout which eases the learning curve. Therefore, users rarely need help once they become familiar with the basics.
Brillians provides extensive help in form of:
- Training Videos: These are short, 10-12 minutes long videos, especially useful to the new users. (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7vvfldMLFFfkRxh6yz7KRgpKmyR7gKZH)
- Conventional “Help” menu on the main form provides extensive help.
- The “blue question mark icon” in right lower corner of each feature’s form. This opens a short, 1-2 page, help PDF specific to that feature.
- The clinical informatics staff and the super-users in your VAMC can assist with many common issues.
Getting Started (8)
Yes, users can create custom content for their specialized needs. Brillians comes with a large library of commonly needed content. However, we can not anticipate every possible scenario. Therefore, personalization is supported to the extent possible.
For example, users can:
- Create personal “Problem Oriented Views of Data.”
- Personal Progress Note Templates.
- Personal Letter Templates
- Personal content for use by the Quick Keys feature (see training video).
- Personal content for use by the Auto Notes, i.e., “Dot Phrases” (see training video).
- Lab preferences on Inpatient and Outpatient dashboards
No. You will continue to use CPRS and other clinical Apps as you always do. You will use Brillians when needed.
For each patient you see:
- Load patient in CPRS and proceed with your usual steps (e.g., greet the patient, start a progress note, etc.).
- When you change patient in CPRS, Brillians prompts to synchronize with CPRS.
- If you take no action, after a few seconds, Brillians will automatically load the patient you have in CPRS (i.e., auto-synchronize with CPRS). You may continue working in CPRS while Brillians loads and processes data in the background.
- When ready, review the Advisories and other information in Brillians.
Please note that Brillians requires no work – not even a click – to load and analyze the data. It does NOT change your workflow and does not get in your way at all. Brillians does all its work in the background and waits for you to utilize the information and tools as necessary.
No. Brillians is NOT dependent on CPRS in any way. There have been many instances where CPRS was down, but the users could continue providing patient care using Brillians.
However, Brillians depends on the VistA system to get the clinical data. If the network is down, or the VistA system is down, then neither CPRS nor Brillians will work.
If Brillians is installed at your VAMC, the CPRS Tools menu has a link for Brillians either as “Brillians (SupraVISTA)” or “SupraVista” or some variation of the above. The link can be on the Tools menu itself, or on a sub-menu. Your colleagues and Clinical Informatics/CAC staff can help, if you don’t see the link.
Once you are running Brillians, please create a desktop link using the “Create Desktop Link” near the bottom of the “File” menu on Brillians’ main form.
You can start Brillians using the desktop icon even if CPRS is down (look for a green icon showing doctor’s bag with plus sign).
The difference between CPRS and Brillians is the same as the difference between data and information! CPRS provides raw data. Brillians provides Actionable Information.
CPRS is a front-end to the data stored in the VistA database. Its primary job is to display requested data. Therefore, CPRS is only concerned with loading, displaying and saving data and NOT with what that data means. This creates two problems:
- If the provider does not request a certain data element, he/she may never see it, no matter how significant that data element is.
- The large volume of data overwhelms the provider and hides the critical elements of information in the large body of non-significant data.
To mitigate these issues, Brillians automates data analysis and assists providers with finding the proverbial “needle in the haystack.” Therefore, Brillians significantly reduces the risk of clinical errors due to missed clinical findings. In addition, it provides problem-oriented-data-views to expedite data review, and a number of time-saving, must have clinical practice tools.
Most VHA clinical users have two monitors attached to their workstations. Even if there is only one monitor, Brillians will play nicely with CPRS and other Windows Apps. Having two monitors improves efficiency and productivity.
If you have two monitors, then please place CPRS on your primary monitor and Brillians on the 2nd monitor. For best results, these applications should not be covering each other.
On the modern, wide-screen monitors, the navigation between multiple Apps works best if you place the Windows taskbar along the right edge of the primary monitor. This takes some getting used to but increases efficiency significantly.
When you load a different patient in CPRS, Brillians displays a small window on top of CPRS. This displays countdown to auto synchronization. At this point, there are three options.
- If you take no action, after a few seconds, Brillians will automatically load the patient you have in CPRS (i.e., auto-synchronize with CPRS). You may continue working in CPRS while Brillians loads and processes data in the background.
- Press the Control-F8 key to cancel synchronization.
- Press the Control-F12 key to immediately load the patient without waiting for the countdown.
Brillians is designed for clinical staff, not computer geeks. Therefore, the user interface is simple, intuitive and easy to navigate. All the features have similar layout which eases the learning curve. Therefore, users rarely need help once they become familiar with the basics.
Brillians provides extensive help in form of:
- Training Videos: These are short, 10-12 minutes long videos, especially useful to the new users. (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7vvfldMLFFfkRxh6yz7KRgpKmyR7gKZH)
- Conventional “Help” menu on the main form provides extensive help.
- The “blue question mark icon” in right lower corner of each feature’s form. This opens a short, 1-2 page, help PDF specific to that feature.
- The clinical informatics staff and the super-users in your VAMC can assist with many common issues.
ROI FAQ (2)
ROI FAQ (2)
Presale FAQ (2)
Brillians is licensed to the VA medical center, or the VISN. There is no licensing model for purchasing a
license for the named users, or a specific number of users (e.g., for use within a given service only).
Once a VAMC or VISN decide that they would like to purchase a license, they contact the vendor at
support@supravista.com for pricing and general information like this document. Barring unusual
circumstances, we respond to emails within 24 hours. If you have not received a response with 24-48
hours, please check your Outlook Junk mail folder.
We are happy to assist with much of the documentation required by the COR to put together a package
for the contracting officer.
The vendor’s staff does not have access to the VA network or clinical data. It is neither needed nor requested. Note: This is also part of the information security– the vendor cannot lose or disclose what they don’t have!
Why? Due to VA’s information security rules, it is difficult for small vendors to get and maintain access to VA resources (e.g., network login). It is even more difficult to get access to the sensitive patient-level clinical data which a clinical App like Brillians requires.
To overcome the above limitations, Brillians depends on the knowledgeable, volunteer VA employees to configure, provide training, and support the app. Please see more details on these aspects later in this document.
As of this writing, this model has worked well for over 11 years in nearly 30 VAMCs.
Presale FAQ (2)
Brillians is licensed to the VA medical center, or the VISN. There is no licensing model for purchasing a
license for the named users, or a specific number of users (e.g., for use within a given service only).
Once a VAMC or VISN decide that they would like to purchase a license, they contact the vendor at
support@supravista.com for pricing and general information like this document. Barring unusual
circumstances, we respond to emails within 24 hours. If you have not received a response with 24-48
hours, please check your Outlook Junk mail folder.
We are happy to assist with much of the documentation required by the COR to put together a package
for the contracting officer.
The vendor’s staff does not have access to the VA network or clinical data. It is neither needed nor requested. Note: This is also part of the information security– the vendor cannot lose or disclose what they don’t have!
Why? Due to VA’s information security rules, it is difficult for small vendors to get and maintain access to VA resources (e.g., network login). It is even more difficult to get access to the sensitive patient-level clinical data which a clinical App like Brillians requires.
To overcome the above limitations, Brillians depends on the knowledgeable, volunteer VA employees to configure, provide training, and support the app. Please see more details on these aspects later in this document.
As of this writing, this model has worked well for over 11 years in nearly 30 VAMCs.