Reduced Hospitalization Rates of Two Sets of Community-Residing Older Adults After Use of a Personal Response System

Abstract

This study replicated, in a United States setting, an earlier study conducted in Canada to determine whether use of a 24-hour personal response system (PRS) affected selected hospital utilization rates among community-residing users. Utilization rates of 106 Canadian patients were reviewed for 1 year before and 1 year after enrollment in the PRS: These were compared with a similar set of 101 U.S. patients using the same PRS program. Self-paired analyses were conducted on number of emergency department (ED) visits and number of inpatient days. During the 1-year follow-up periods, both sets of subscribers using the Lifeline system experienced a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) in per person inpatient days (mean reduction = 6.5 days). No significant differences occurred in ED visits. When indicated, a PRS may be an appropriate environmental prescription.