In April 2026, The National PERT Consortium® launched the PRISM Program, a landmark global initiative designed to advance the quality and effectiveness of pulmonary embolism (PE) care. PRISM stands for Pulmonary Embolism, Research, Improved Care, Standardized Systems, and Measured Outcomes. These principles reflect the program’s comprehensive approach to advancing care through quality improvement, data-driven decision-making, education, research, and collaboration. Supported by founding partners Penumbra, Inc. and Inari Medical/Stryker, PRISM represents the culmination of several of The Consortium’s most significant strategic initiatives and serves as a comprehensive framework for improving PE care worldwide.

MISSION AND FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS OF THE PRISM PROGRAM

The mission of the PRISM Program is to advance the quality and effectiveness of PE care by integrating research, continuous improvement, and standardized practices that optimize outcomes for every patient. Through collaboration, innovation, and measurable accountability, PRISM seeks to ensure that every patient with PE receives the highest standard of care, regardless of where they are treated.

The program brings together years of work by The National PERT Consortium® to strengthen the infrastructure of PE care across the globe. It unifies three major initiatives: (1) developing a strong pipeline to the PERT Centers of Excellence Certification Program; (2) expanding participation in the PERC™ Quality Assurance Database to strengthen real-world evidence and outcomes research; and (3) broadening education, outreach, and adoption of the multidisciplinary PE response team (PERT) model across both tertiary academic medical centers and rural community-based health care institutions. Together, these efforts establish a sustainable pathway for health care organizations to improve quality, standardize care delivery, and contribute to the growing body of evidence that shapes the future of PE treatment.

The PRISM Program is a 3-year initiative through which The National PERT Consortium® has committed to accrediting 100 institutions worldwide. Since its launch, the program has already welcomed 31 participating sites that share a commitment to delivering the highest level of care for patients with PE. These institutions represent a growing global community dedicated to improving outcomes through shared standards, collaborative learning, and the use of real-world data.

FRAMEWORK FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

At its core, PRISM is designed to create a health care environment where continuous improvement and measurable excellence are the norm. The program establishes a robust quality assurance infrastructure through standardized metrics, benchmarking tools, and performance dashboards that allow institutions to evaluate and improve their performance. Participating sites gain access to data-driven insights that support alignment with evidence-based clinical pathways and nationally recognized guidelines, helping to ensure consistency and quality across diverse health care settings.

A central component of the initiative is its focus on outcomes measurement. PRISM emphasizes the collection and analysis of meaningful patient-centered outcomes, including mortality, recurrence, recovery, functional status, and long-term health. By leveraging real-world data and outcomes, participating institutions can better understand their performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and measure the impact of changes in care delivery.

ADVANCING RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION

Research and innovation are equally important elements of the program. Through multicenter collaboration and registry-based research, PRISM supports scientific discovery and advances the evidence base for PE care. Participating sites contribute valuable data that informs future treatment strategies, quality initiatives, and peer-reviewed publications, helping to shape the next generation of PE management.

Education remains a foundational pillar of the initiative. PRISM fosters professional development through live educational events, interactive programming, expert-led discussions, and practical resources that empower health care professionals to implement best practices and remain current with evolving standards of care. By creating opportunities for continuous learning, the program strengthens the capabilities of multidisciplinary teams responsible for managing patients with PE.

Recognizing that meaningful improvements in PE care require engagement beyond the hospital setting, PRISM also promotes awareness, advocacy, and collaboration among a broad range of stakeholders. The initiative seeks to actively engage emergency medical services, first responders, emergency department clinicians, hospital administrators, quality leaders, international health care organizations, academic medical centers, and rural community hospitals. Through these partnerships, PRISM seeks to improve recognition, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of PE across the entire continuum of care.

EXPANDING ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY PE CARE

A key feature of the program is its accessibility and “waived fee” structure, enabling access for sites that may not have previously had the financial means to support such an educational initiative. Applications for PRISM are accepted on a rolling basis, creating an open and flexible pathway for health care organizations seeking participation in the PERT Centers of Excellence Certification Program and the PERC™ Quality Assurance Database. This approach reduces barriers to entry and allows institutions at various stages of program development to engage with The Consortium’s quality improvement and accreditation initiatives.

PRISM was also designed to address the growing needs of the PE community by streamlining services and opportunities, reducing barriers to participation, and supporting sustainable expansion. By fostering greater engagement, accessibility, and collaboration, the initiative enhances organizational effectiveness while creating opportunities for institutions to advance their PE programs in a structured and measurable way.

CONCLUSION

As The National PERT Consortium® continues its mission to improve outcomes for patients with PE, the PRISM Program stands as a transformative initiative that brings together research, quality improvement, education, accreditation, and community engagement. Through a shared commitment to excellence, standardized systems, and measurable outcomes, PRISM is helping to establish a new global standard for PE care and creating a future in which every patient has access to the highest-quality treatment, wherever they receive care.

Michelle Lanno

Michelle Lanno
Chief Executive Officer
The PERT Consortium®
Nashua, New Hampshire
Disclosures: None.

Lauren Baker, PhD

Lauren Baker, PhD
President and CEO
Insight Medical Consulting
Northborough, Massachusetts
Disclosures: Consultant, Conformal Medical.