Technical considerations in the selection of a personal emergency response system.

It is the purpose of this report to provide an internal review of the personal response system (PRS) in our hospital. Our system is coordinated by volunteers without emergency physician supervision. It uses antiquated equipment in the client's homes and emergency response center. Calls are answered by individuals who have not been trained as dispatchers, and who do not record pertinent performance data. The technical considerations involved in the selection and operation of an ideal PRS system are described.