PRISM: Performance of Routine Information System Management Series

Using data to make evidence-informed decisions is still weak in most low- and middle-income countries. Especially neglected are data produced by routine health information systems (RHIS)—the data collected at public, private, and community-level health facilities and institutions. When routine data are lacking, or are not used, the results can be lower-quality services, weak infection prevention and control responses, lack of skilled health workers available where they are needed, and weak supply chains for drugs and equipment. These factors contribute to poor health outcomes for people.

MEASURE Evaluation, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided technical and financial assistance to strengthen RHIS for more than 15 years. We have contributed to best practices at the global level and to the strengthening of RHIS data collection, data quality, analysis, and use at the country level. One of the project’s mandates is to strengthen the collection, analysis, and use of these data for the delivery of high-quality health services.

We developed the Performance of Routine Information System Management (PRISM) Framework and suite of tools in 2011 for global use in assessing the reliability and timeliness of an RHIS, in making evidence-based decisions, and in identifying gaps in an RHIS so they can be addressed and the system can be improved.

With USAID’s support, we have revised the PRISM Tools and developed other elements, based on the PRISM Framework, to create a broad array of materials: the “PRISM Series.” This new, more comprehensive PRISM Series is useful for designing, strengthening, and evaluating RHIS performance and developing a plan to put the results of a PRISM assessment into action.

It has the following components:

PRISM Toolkit

	PRISM Tools, available in PDF and Word formats
	PRISM Tools for Community Health Information Systems, available in PDF and Word formats
	Analysis Tool for Data from a PRISM Assessment, available in Excel

PRISM User's Kit

	Preparing and Conducting a PRISM Assessment, available in PDF and Word formats
	Using SurveyCTO to Collect and Enter PRISM Assessment Data, available in PDF and Word formats Module 1 Module 2a Module 2b Module 3 Part 1 Module 3 Part 2 Module 4 Module 5 Module 6 All modules
	Analyzing Data from a PRISM Assessment, available in PDF and Word formats
	Moving from Assessment to Action, available in PDF and Word formats

PRISM Training Kit

	Participant’s Manual, available in PDF and Word formats
	Facilitator’s Manual, available in PDF and Word formats
	PowerPoint training modules Training Content and Orientation  Introduction to the Health Information System Introduction to the Routine Health Information System Introduction to the PRISM Framework Measuring Data Quality Use of Information for Decision Making Overview of the PRISM Tools Assessment Implementation Assessment Analysis

Earlier versions of the PRISM tools and related content may be accessed here.

 

Related Content

2011 Version: PRISM Tools for Assessing, Monitoring, and Evaluating RHIS Performance (also available in French and Spanish)

Guanajuato SINAIS Assessment 

PRISM framework: a paradigm shift for designing, strengthening and evaluating routine health information systems 

Fact Sheet: Using PRISM to strengthen and evaluate health information systems 

Third International RHINO Workshop, Information for Action: Facility and Community Focus

Guinea Health Facility Survey 2001 

PRISM Case Studies: Strengthening and Evaluating RHIS

Improving RHIS Performance For Better Health System Management: Routine Health Information System Course Participants Guide