PRISM: Implementing Modified Open Source and Collaboration for Improved Public Health System Development

Background:  The PRISM project addressed the expanding technology and business automation needs of a modern infectious disease prevention and control program.  The Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of STD designed and implemented an application that brought business intelligence into workflow automation, modernized communication capability, expanded access to required related medical information through interoperability, and introduced an “open source” approach to collaborate with other governmental and public health entities as an innovation to reduce costs while expanding functionality.

 

Methods: Florida’s STD program sought to replace its STD*MIS application with a modern application that enabled the incorporation of available functions and integration with mission critical data sources to improve operational efficiencies.  This effort was undertaken with a philosophy of using a modified version of the open source approach that would enable use by any public health program, without cost, under a GPL (general public license).  This approach included the ability of any modifications, enhancements, and improvements to be shared back to a central location and made available to all jurisdictions and programs using the program.  This unique collaborative approach enabled the talents and capacities of differing jurisdictions to benefit.  The effort used as much technology that is commonly available as possible, created a sustainable architecture, and flexibility for future growth.

 

Results:  Florida demonstrated PRISM for many public health jurisdictions and several have adopted the PRISM application, complete with modifications that better fit their specific environments.  Sharing the modifications, enhancements, and open code has provided a solid example of the value of modified open source approaches and opportunities it presents to public health informatics.  Florida’s PRISM effort facilitates a community focus and builds community collaborations between jurisdictions for the benefit of all.

 

Conclusion:  This effort provides an example of the possibilities and benefits of collaborative public health informatics efforts.