CHRISTUS Health Upgrades all East Texas Ambulance Units with New Life-Saving Technology

(East Texas) – CHRISTUS Health announced today that it has upgraded all ground ambulance units serving the 12-county service area with new state-of-the-art, life-saving technology.

“The addition of these new devices in every unit is a big win for our patients, associates and our mission,” said Shawn Salter, chief administrative oficer for CHRISTUS EMS. I am so very appreciative of the cities and counties that have chosen us as the EMS provider of choice. These new technologies are just another way to show our commitment to providing the best healthcare for those in need.”

The new equipment, which includes state-of-the-art ventilators and chest compression devices, has been installed on all 30 ambulances and five licensed back-up units that serve 25 communities in 12 counties, ranging from as far south as Bullard, west through Wills Point, north through Winnsboro and east through Jefferson.

The Zoil Z “Vent” mechanical ventilator allows crews to provide mechanical ventilation for patients ranging from infant to adult. It allows both non-invasive (face mask) and invasive (breathing tube) options for ventilation, giving EMS clinicians a single device that meets the needs of virtually every patient.

A Debfibtech Lifeline ARM-CPR chest compression device, commonly referred to as an automated chest compression device, provides the chest compression portion of CPR and does so with precision without the variability experienced when conducted by humans. This allows the CHRISTUS EMS staff to spend more time and effort on other portions of resuscitation.

“While trying to perform rsuscitation on someone who is in cardiac arrest, there are many things that must be accomplished, all at the same time,” Salter said. “This device allows our clinicians to focus on other steps they must perform to save someone’s life.”

CHRISTUS EMS is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3, charitable organization currently providing 911 emergency medical services (EMS) to 12 counties within northeast Texas. CHRISTUS EMS is a ministry within the CHRISTUS Health System whose mission is to “Extend the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ.” In addition to providing ground emergency services, CHRISTUS EMS performs inter-facility transport from referring facilities in the Longview and Tyler areas and to other specialty centers in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Louisiana and Arkansas areas. CHRISTUS EMS also offers its CHRISTUS Flight For Life program, which provides helicopter response and transfers throughout the northeast Texas region. Additionally, CHRISTUS EMS provides primary EMT and paramedic courses (the latter as an extension of Kilgore Junior College) as well as continuing education offerings for EMS providers for all levels of certification and licensure.

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At CHRISTUS Health, we deliver a complete healing experience that respects the individual. We serve our communities with dignity. And with a good deal of admiration. CHRISTUS Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit system made up of more than 600 centers, including long-term care facilities, community hospitals, walk-in clinics and health ministries. We are a community 45,000 strong, with over 15,000 physicians providing individualized care. Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in Houston and San Antonio and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, our mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to every individual we serve.