UT Health East Texas Upgrades Life-Saving Capabilities with New LIFEPAK 35 Monitors and LUCAS CPR Devices
Tyler, Texas (February 27, 2026) — UT Health East Texas EMS is proud to announce the addition of new LIFEPAK 35 cardiac monitor/defibrillators and LUCAS Chest Compression System devices to its frontline ambulances, further strengthening the department’s commitment to delivering advanced, high-quality care to the community.
The LIFEPAK 35 represents the latest generation of cardiac monitoring and defibrillation technology. Designed for durability and ease of use in demanding emergency environments, the device provides advanced cardiac monitoring, manual and automated defibrillation, pacing capabilities and enhanced data connectivity. Its intuitive interface allows paramedics to quickly assess and treat patients experiencing cardiac emergencies, including heart attacks and life-threatening arrhythmias.
“These new monitors significantly enhance our ability to deliver critical cardiac care in the field,” said UT Health East Texas EMS CEO John Smith. “The LIFEPAK 35 gives our paramedics faster access to vital patient data and streamlined treatment options, helping us improve response times and patient outcomes.”
In addition to upgraded cardiac monitors, the department has deployed LUCAS Chest Compression Systems on its ambulances. The LUCAS device provides consistent, high-quality mechanical chest compressions during cardiac arrest, ensuring uninterrupted CPR even during patient transport or in challenging environments. By maintaining optimal compression depth and rate, the system supports improved circulation until advanced care can be provided at the hospital.
“High-quality CPR is one of the most important factors in surviving cardiac arrest,” said Dr. Yagnesh Desai, UT Health East Texas EMS Medical Director. “The addition of the LUCAS devices allows our crews to focus on other critical interventions while ensuring continuous, guideline-consistent chest compressions.”
The acquisition of the LIFEPAK 35 monitors and LUCAS devices represents a more than $2 million investment that reflects UT Health East Texas’ ongoing mission to provide the highest standard of emergency medical care and underscores the health system’s dedication to innovation, safety and community health. EMS personnel have completed comprehensive training to ensure seamless integration of the new equipment into daily operations.
About UT Health East Texas
UT Health East Texas provides care to thousands of patients each year through an extensive regional network that includes nine hospitals, more than 90 clinics, the Olympic Plaza Tower, 13 regional rehabilitation facilities, two freestanding emergency centers, regional home health services, an EMS fleet of more than 65 ambulances and four helicopters, and a comprehensive eight-trauma center care network, including the region’s only Level 1 trauma facility.
As a partner with The University of Texas System, UT Health East Texas is uniquely positioned to provide patients with access to leading-edge research and clinical therapies while training and educating the next generation of physicians and other health professionals. The nationally recognized UT System also includes The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, as well as three other major university medical centers located throughout the state.