Preventing Unnecessary ED Utilization with PERS and CareSage Analytics

This technical report presents findings on the use of Connect America's Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) combined with the CareSage analytics platform to reduce unnecessary emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations among seniors. The study analyzes care needs and utilization patterns of over 900,000 PERS subscribers, detailing a quantitative analysis of more than 211,000 medical alert calls. The results indicate that nearly half of the subscribers received on-site assistance without requiring emergency transport, leading to an estimated $236 million reduction in avoidable care costs. The report also highlights the significant impact of PERS on reducing readmissions and hospitalization costs, demonstrating a 31% decrease in hospitalization expenses. The findings emphasize the importance of proactive care strategies to support the aging population, who often prefer to live independently at home while managing chronic conditions. The report concludes that integrating PERS with predictive analytics can enhance care delivery and efficiency in healthcare systems.