Emergency care

Our expert team of doctors and nurses is available around-the-clock with care for all of life’s emergencies.

Ambulances parked outsite the ambulance bay at the Penn Medicine Pavilion

If this is an emergency, call 911 or find nearby emergency rooms.

We’re here for you when you need us most

In the event of a medical emergency, you want fast, effective treatment you can trust. At Penn Medicine, our emergency medicine teams are here 24/7 for help with severe or life-threatening injuries or illnesses—or any health need that can’t wait for a regular office visit.

Comprehensive emergency care, 365 days a year

Whether you’re dealing with a broken bone or a time-sensitive emergency like a stroke, our staff has the experience and training to help. Our doctors are board-certified in emergency medicine and our dedicated registered nurses have extra training in emergency care, trauma, and disaster preparedness.

Our services include: 

  • Behavioral health emergency services 
  • Comprehensive cardiac care
  • Emergency medical services (EMS)
  • Pediatric care
  • Trauma care for critical injuries
  • Urgent care (for minor illnesses and injuries)

Advanced emergency care services

At Penn Medicine, our emergency medicine services go beyond what you find in a typical emergency room. We’re prepared for the most serious emergencies, accidents, and disasters.

Specialized trauma care

Penn Medicine provides the most advanced care available for critically ill and injured people. We have two Level 1 trauma centers at The Pavilion for Advanced Care at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and Lancaster General Hospital. Our trauma care is recognized as a national and international model of excellence and our patient outcomes are better than the national average.

Advanced stroke care

When someone has a stroke, seconds count. All Penn Medicine locations have advanced stroke certifications from the Joint Commission, in recognition of our ability to rapidly and effectively treat people experiencing a stroke.

Disaster preparedness

Our specialized task force keeps our community safe by planning for disasters, such as influenza surges, weather emergencies, and widespread power outages.

Hyperbaric medicine

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing 100 percent oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This treatment delivers 20 times more oxygen that can travel through the body's bloodstream to injured organs and tissue. The additional oxygen speeds healing. We use hyperbaric oxygen for people with decompression sickness, serious infections, and wounds that have difficulty healing.

Therapeutic hypothermia

For some people experiencing a heart attack, lowering body temperature within six hours reduces the chance of brain damage and improves the chance of a full recovery. Penn Medicine is a pioneer in therapeutic hypothermia, offering this treatment for almost 20 years.

Emergency (bedside) ultrasound

Our Division of Emergency Ultrasound has been a leader in the use of bedside ultrasound since 2001. We have five emergency ultrasound machines available to our doctors 24/7, allowing for fast, accurate diagnoses.

Resuscitation and critical care

We’re one of only a few centers in the country offering emergent cardiopulmonary bypass (ECPB) to stabilize people who don't respond to standard resuscitation methods. We also specialize in treating sepsis, respiratory failure, and oncology or organ transplant-related emergencies.

Medical toxicology

Our Division of Medical Toxicology offers advanced care for people experiencing poisoning or adverse effects of medications. We’re leaders in toxicology education and research and consult with the Philadelphia Poison center to help patients throughout the Delaware Valley, as well as experts at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

PennSTAR Flight Program

The PennSTAR Flight Program provides critical care air and ground medical transportation to the Tri-State Area within a 100-mile radius of Penn Medicine. Our three medical helicopters and two critical care ambulances provide rapid transport of critical care patients and on-scene services at the site of accidents and trauma-related incidents.

What to expect with emergency care at Penn Medicine

Get answers to commonly asked questions about emergency care at Penn Medicine.

Schedule an appointment

We can help you schedule an appointment or you can search our directory of specialists.