Trauma care and emergency surgery
Advanced trauma and emergency services
Serious injuries and unexpected medical emergencies require fast, expert care. Receiving care at trauma centers improves survival rates and the quality of life for traumatically injured and critically ill patients.
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia and Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster County are designated Level 1 Trauma Centers because we can treat the most severe and complex injuries and provide complete, coordinated care from the moment of arrival through recovery. These centers offer the highest level of treatment in the region, leading to exceptional outcomes that rank well above the national average. Teams are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Our Level 1 Trauma Centers include dedicated trauma units, specialized intensive care units (ICUs), and research-based treatment. Combined with expert teams and the capacity to treat high volumes of critically injured patients, these resources support treatment for all types of injuries.
Rapid transfer services, including PennSTAR, provide medical transport by helicopter and ambulance to connect patients to experienced trauma and critical care teams as quickly as possible.
Our trauma and acute care surgery teams specialize in trauma surgery and traumatology, focusing on life-threatening injuries and critical illnesses. This includes traumatic injuries, severe abdominal pain, infections, internal bleeding, and other serious problems that require immediate attention.
With emergency departments at seven hospitals, in Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, people can receive timely care close to home. Our surgical teams have the experience and resources needed to act quickly when every minute matters.
Surgical critical care specialists, also known as critical care surgeons, treat people who need both surgery and close monitoring. They work closely with trauma surgeons, emergency physicians, and anesthesiologists to support the most seriously ill or injured patients, including those with conditions that affect multiple organs.
Available around the clock, these teams provide life-support management for people recovering from major trauma, emergency surgery, and other severe illnesses. Advanced ICUs offer continuous monitoring, specialized technology, and coordinated treatment to improve outcomes.
Our Level 1 Trauma Centers
People across the region rely on our centers for expert care after serious injury. A Level 1 Trauma Center designation means that we have every available resource needed to provide total care for any aspect of severe injuries.
Transferring to a specialized trauma center
Transferring a patient to Penn Medicine for trauma care ensures access to top-tier medical expertise and advanced treatment options, prioritizing swift and effective interventions for critical conditions. Transfers must be arranged by the patient’s doctor or care team.
Trauma care and recovery services
Care continues beyond the initial emergency, including immediate support and follow-up after an injury. Trauma surgeons, critical care specialists, and rehabilitation experts work together with teams across multiple specialties to treat a wide range of injuries, including traumatic brain injury, spinal injuries, bone and joint trauma, and chest wall trauma. People may receive care right away or later in recovery, even if they were first treated at another hospital.
Our goal is to support healing, restore strength, and help each person return to daily life.
Injury Prevention and Outreach Program
Traumatic injuries are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Through our Injury Prevention and Outreach Program, our safety research, education, and training efforts help our community prevent traumatic injuries.
Our doctors
Our providers work with you to plan and deliver exceptional treatment and personalized care.
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