Last updated
CPRS Booster/Robotic Employee Accelerator
Share PrintDiscover what over 30,000 VA employees already know: Booster is free, immediately available to all employees, and is widely touted as a boon to efficiency and work satisfaction.
Origin:
October 2020, Minneapolis VA Medical Center (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Adoptions:
8 successful
Partners:
Office of Health Informatics, Office of Primary Care
Recent Updates
Overview
Problem
Computer systems used by healthcare workers are inefficient; contribute to job dissatisfaction and burnout; and detract from face-to-face patient care.
Solution
Booster is computer automation platform which dramatically speeds use of VA computer systems by automating complex, tedious, redundant multistep actions. Now, with the press of a single keyboard button (usually a function key), Booster will automatically and very rapidly perform tasks that previously required extensive typing, use of the mouse, and processin
...
Booster is computer automation platform which dramatically speeds use of VA computer systems by automating complex, tedious, redundant multistep actions. Now, with the press of a single keyboard button (usually a function key), Booster will automatically and very rapidly perform tasks that previously required extensive typing, use of the mouse, and processing of multiple screens. Want to see a few workflows with and without Booster: check out the video below.
See
more
Videos
Let a Robot Speed Your Computer Work AND Free You From Mindless Computer Monotony
Results
CPRS Booster has been widely adopted and promoted within the Minneapolis VA. Multiple management leads, including the Chief of Staff, have recommend use of the tool. Booster instruction is now embedded as part of our employee onboarding process.
In addition, Booster has spread to many if not most facilities in the country: largely by word of mouth from o ... CPRS Booster has been widely adopted and promoted within the Minneapolis VA. Multiple management leads, including the Chief of Staff, have recommend use of the tool. Booster instruction is now embedded as part of our employee onboarding process.
In addition, Booster has spread to many if not most facilities in the country: largely by word of mouth from one employee to another.
The 13 minute video we made to teach people how to get and use Booster is the most 'liked' video of all videos on the VA's streaming platform (Stream): with twice as many 'likes' as the next most popular video. Over 30,000 employees have watched this video completely of their own accord: making this video one of the most watched videos in the VA system and THE most watched voluntary video (others are mandatory training). See more
In addition, Booster has spread to many if not most facilities in the country: largely by word of mouth from o ... CPRS Booster has been widely adopted and promoted within the Minneapolis VA. Multiple management leads, including the Chief of Staff, have recommend use of the tool. Booster instruction is now embedded as part of our employee onboarding process.
In addition, Booster has spread to many if not most facilities in the country: largely by word of mouth from one employee to another.
The 13 minute video we made to teach people how to get and use Booster is the most 'liked' video of all videos on the VA's streaming platform (Stream): with twice as many 'likes' as the next most popular video. Over 30,000 employees have watched this video completely of their own accord: making this video one of the most watched videos in the VA system and THE most watched voluntary video (others are mandatory training). See more
Metrics
- Please see the video at top of this page
- 1. Self-Reported Efficiency: in an anonymous survey of over 900 Booster users, employees were asked to rate how much Booster increased their efficiency compared to any other CPRS enhancement in their employment history. On a 0 to 10 scale where 0 indicated Booster wasn’t helpful and 10 indicated that Booster was the “Most helpful enhancement ever”: providers, nurses, pharmacists and MSAs all rated Booster as 9 or greater (avg).
- 2. Spontaneous national spread: one marker of Booster’s value to employees is the degree of spread/uptake. While we cannot directly track usage, we do know the number of people who have (voluntarily) watched the Booster instructional video: this now over 30,000 employees. This likely represents a minimum number of users since many Booster users start using without watching this video.
- 3. Qualitative: Please see top video above for unsolicited feedback from Booster users
Diffusion tracker
Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)
Implementation
Timeline
-
1 month
Identify a CAC or RN who can act as a superuser, promoter and supporter of Booster within your facility -
2-12 months
Adam Bock MD, the creator of Booster, will meet quarterly with your CAC/RN to help maximize use and uptake within your facility.
Core Resources
| Resource type | Resource description |
|---|---|
PEOPLE |
|
TOOLS |
|
Risks and mitigations
| Risk | Mitigation |
|---|---|
| IT has extensively reviewed and approved Booster for national use | One of the extremely time consuming parts of building and spreading Booster was obtaining IT permission for this product. This was a year-long effort requiring multiple meetings with national IT/HIMS/Security. As a result of that work, Booster was authorized for national use. |
Contact
Comment
Comments and replies are disabled for retired innovations and non-VA users.
Email adam.bock@va.gov with questions about this innovation.
About
Origin story
Booster started in Minneapolis as an effort to reduce computer tedium and improve work efficiency. In an unexpected and (within the VA system) unprecedented turn of events, news of Booster spread like wildfire across the county by word for mouth from employee to employee. The mechanism for this spread was three fold:
1. Technically national spread was po
...
Booster started in Minneapolis as an effort to reduce computer tedium and improve work efficiency. In an unexpected and (within the VA system) unprecedented turn of events, news of Booster spread like wildfire across the county by word for mouth from employee to employee. The mechanism for this spread was three fold:
1. Technically national spread was possible because Booster is hosted on a server that any VA employee in the nation can access with a simple hyperlink. To make it even simpler (so that even the hyperlink address is not needed), we were able to place a shortcut to Booster within the 'Gold Star' of every VA in the country.
2. Employee Training: We created at 13 minute training video. The link to this video is what was shared from one employee to another. By watching this video, employees can learn how to immediately get Booster AND how to use it. This video has now been watched over 30,000 times (28k for current video, 2.5 k for prior version). The number of views increases daily. This video is one of the most watched video on the VA's video platform (MS Stream) and is the video with the most user 'likes' of any video in the VA video catalog.
3. Technical support: We set up detailed tech support information (accessible from within Booster) addressing the vast majority of issues users may encounter.
4. IT Approval: when Booster started spreading there was very significant organizational resistance (and, initially, no one helping us). Somewhat threatening emails were sent to us (we had 'violated the employee code of conduct', they said). And Booster was banned in parts of the country. Thankfully, at some point, several other groups started to help us in this national fight: the national office of primary care helped - as did a newly formed national group designed to reduce employee workload burden (Booster became one of two technologies for which this national group worked to get national approval: and, so far, the only one it has been successful with). In what was, for us, an exhausting, emotionally fraught and extremely time consuming process, we persisted for a year to get Booster to be approved: finally occurring earlier this year. I think it's safe to say: we survived trial by fire.
Original team
Adam Bock MD
Chief of Informatics, Minneapolis VA
Kurt Virnig
Senior IT Analyst, Office of information and Technology (OIT)
I am getting a virus threat message and Booster will no longer launch "the file contains a virus..." - any advice?
Also getting this issue.
Also getting that issue
I am a triage nurse and we are using CPRS Booster in my triage department. Is it possible to had any dropdown options that can be included in our individual dot phrases? Thanks.
I am just starting using Booster. The One Button New Notes set-up is not working and not importing my notes, but sometimes it pulls in a bunch of random notes starting with n. What am I doing wrong?
This one of the best tools I have used within the VA.
Currently using the booster and working toward getting the rest of my team to use it. I see you can "share" dot phrases with others but I can't seem to find how to do this. Can someone please show me how? Can also be reached on TEAMS.
Go to the dot phrase window. Click National Dot Phrase Library button. Follow instructions from there.
is there a feature in CPRS booster to mass sign alerts for additional signatures?
Speed Notes aren't opening in the respective clinics I've designated for each them, any ideas on how to fix this?
IMPORTANT----
CPRS Booster has been giving people issues today; the creator is aware (It is not through IT). They’ve updated our (local) U: drives…
You can do a few things to help:
1. Exit CPRS Booster.
2. Try ctrl-alt-delete to get the task manager – to close CPRS Booster.
3. Reopen through the gold star.
a. Open CPRS Booster this way.
4. Restart your computer.
They are still working on solutions, one of these may help get you started back up again!
BOOSTER - This app is restarting continuiously in the background even after shutting down computer and bringing it back up fresh and clicking on the app from the VA_Shortcuts star. HELP!!
Noticing that booster keeps restarting over and over today, is this a known bug?
Same here
Yes we are also having this issue in VA Connecticut. Is this the best place to look for updates to Booster?
Here at the Columbia VAHCS as well.
Good morning, Booster keeps sending pop up messages. It usually only happens when I open it but it's been continuous today. Any help? Thanks
Also new to VA....anything to help expedite the flow would help
I'm new to VA, could use some extra support.
Loving this in Colorado. A great time saver.
Just the quick signature function is such a time saver, I am still sorting out what else I can utilize - thank you for this!
Periodontist at San Juan, Puerto Rico VA. This is a great addition to the CPRS. I fully implemented it and got accustomed to it within the day.
Is there the possibility to add consults to the new note section. Generating consults for materials is also very time consuming and errors usually equals materials not being replaced efficiently. Thank you.
Where can I get updated CPRS booster link for a mobile computer unit please. The link that I have does not seem to work, thanks
I am spreading the good news about CPRS Booster here at the Joseph Maxwell Cleland VA in Atlanta GA! Dot phrases allow me to chart faster so that I am able to have more quality time with our veterans. :)
I am a triage RN working from the Madison William S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital facility remotely. I have used dot phrases in a prior job and am interested if this is possible using our CPRS, Teams communication and Clear Triage documentation. I am interested in your feedback if this is possible and, if so, how to set this up for my use. Thanks.
I use booster with all my CPRS charting. You will need to watch the booster videos on how to install and use it.
Yes! Our booster is located in the shortcut star folder, under ORL shortcuts (for Orlando), and in that folder it says "CPRSBooster." If you double click there, it will take you through the set up process.
Thank you all. I have been able to set this up. I was surprised it was so easy once I received your feedback. Thanks.
Is there any way to hide the tool bar? At least 10 times a day, I click "unfreeze" when I mean to click Action. I don't ever use the tool bar because I have all of my F keys assigned for most things on the toolbar and have whats what memorized.
Have you tried moving it? That is what I have had to do as I have not seen a way to hide the toolbar.
I have tried. I can't move it. I love booster, but this tool bar gets in the way.
I just opened the settings and you can turn off the hyperdrive bar and the floating fxn bar or you can move them by putting in adjustments.
Thank you!!! Exactly what I was looking for!
Is it possible to add CPRS Patient Objects into Dot Phrases (i.e.: recent A1c in my Assessment Note)? Love CPRS Booster!
I am adopting
I use this at SFVA.
I starting using this booster in early 2021, I love it! It simplifies so much! It lessens the time I am left searching for specific things, I use the dot phrases across so many different programs (email, teams etc.) I have shared the original email to many of my coworkers even though out CACs and IT are adamant that nothing like this exists and is not available at our facility. I have continued to use it and spread the information & praise the ease of use to so many people! I think CPRS booster should be part of CPRS orientation with all new hires! Just my opinions!!! Thanks for the boost!
The CPRS booster is a daily tool that enhances the speed I can serve Veterans with more quality -AND- quantity.
Im been using this for almost a year, and Is Fantastic!
Use .dot phrases
If anyone needs nursing dot phrases please reach out to me. I'll be more than happy to share. I'm on MS Teams.
CPRS Booster is such a time & sanity saver, thanks to the team for developing and sharing it. Best thing about VA is how we share our best practices as a nationwide team.
Is there someone willing to share dot phrases for booster? Melissa.williamson1@va.gov Thanks!
Is there a training video on how to use booster? We have it at the Dayton VA but would like to watch a video on how to use it.
Adam Bock commented below:
Hi, The video below explains how to get and use CPRS Booster. It's about 13 minutes but you can speed up playback by using the little gear icon at the bottom of the video player. https://web.microsoftstream.com/video/c935ad80-37dc-4155-9126-3446c345ca32?channelId=1527ec07-e93e-4321-996e-336cfb24fdbb NOTE: Information about dot Phrases is in a separate video: https://web.microsoftstream.com/video/a2807765-eb8d-4a31-a742-88b7407d2f1a ALSO: Here is a video about how to SHARE dot phrases with others: https://web.microsoftstream.com/video/d5031989-99ce-46d8-924c-5f8d3552e119 If you do not have a 'gold star' and can't find a shortcut to Booster: Cutting and pasting the following address into a web browser address bar or into Windows folder system will access it. When presented with the option to open or save: CLICK OPEN: \\v23.med.va.gov\apps\GUI\MIN\MIN_GUI\Auto\CPRSBooster.exe The site below has FAQs and also a section to add enhancement requests for CPRS Booster. Please see this page: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/VHAHICOP/SitePages/CPRS_Booster.aspx Regarding dot phrases: all of the information needed is inside of Booster. Click the Dot Phrase button on the top Booster toolbar. There is a link inside that: ‘what the heck is a dot phrase’. thanks! Adam
penny detrie has a video that she made as well. i found her on teams and she sent it to me.
I made a how-to video on how to adopt this at our VA! Let's meet sometime - I would love to know new tips on how to use it even more efficiently!
I would like to see your video, I have been helping the staff at my facility implement it.
I would like to see your video. We are considering adoption.
I have been with the VA for 8 years, i just found out about the booster 2 months ago, what a difference maker! I am trying to share it with everyone I know. I would love to be a superuser for this.
Hi,
The video below explains how to get and use CPRS Booster. It's about 13 minutes but you can speed up playback by using the little gear icon at the bottom of the video player.
https://web.microsoftstream.com/video/c935ad80-37dc-4155-9126-3446c345ca32?channelId=1527ec07-e93e-4321-996e-336cfb24fdbb
NOTE: Information about dot Phrases is in a separate video:
https://web.microsoftstream.com/video/a2807765-eb8d-4a31-a742-88b7407d2f1a
ALSO: Here is a video about how to SHARE dot phrases with others:
https://web.microsoftstream.com/video/d5031989-99ce-46d8-924c-5f8d3552e119
If you do not have a 'gold star' and can't find a shortcut to Booster:
Cutting and pasting the following address into a web browser address bar or into Windows folder system will access it.
When presented with the option to open or save: CLICK OPEN:
\\v23.med.va.gov\apps\GUI\MIN\MIN_GUI\Auto\CPRSBooster.exe
The site below has FAQs and also a section to add enhancement requests for CPRS Booster. Please see this page:
https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/VHAHICOP/SitePages/CPRS_Booster.aspx
Regarding dot phrases: all of the information needed is inside of Booster. Click the Dot Phrase button on the top Booster toolbar. There is a link inside that: ‘what the heck is a dot phrase’.
thanks!
Adam
Please provide links on this page to "How to Obtain and Use Booster.," and other help videos; identify the name and location of the tool under the Gold star link; add link to the SharePoint page. Thanks
Is there a way to disable Alt-C in the booster?
This is also a problem for me, as Prosthetics uses FLOW for tracking prosthetic device timeliness and it already uses ALT-C for activating in CPRS
how do I start using this CPRS booster
you just download it - in VA favorites usually - click "ORL shortcuts" or whatever your VA shortcut folder is and go down to CPRSBooster. Double-click and you are on your way!
I would like to become a superuser to teach Primary Care Providers.
Hi! You don't need special permission, just adopt and share!!! That's all I did!
I am familiar with this process of (.) phrase where I worked outside of the VA System . I would like to connect with you for a refresher and become a Super User again and present it to ECHCS. Thank you for bringing it to a full circle .
Download booster and watch the tutorials on dot phrases, it should be all you need to get yourself set up to become a superuser in your area!