On this page, you will find information about every trauma center in Philadelphia and what the different levels and designations mean. Philadelphia has some extremely well-known traumatic injury centers, and these hospitals save hundreds of lives each year.
Traumatic Injury Accident Victim?
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We frequently visit injured clients at many of these hospitals after someone has suffered a personal injury such as a vehicle accident.
What Are the Philadelphia Trauma Center Designations?
In Philadelphia, trauma centers are categorized into different levels, each with specific requirements. The Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF) is responsible for accrediting these trauma centers across the state. According to the PTSF, the trauma center levels are as follows:
- Level I Trauma Centers: These centers offer multidisciplinary treatment and have specialized resources to care for trauma patients. They are required to conduct trauma research, have a surgical residency program, and treat at least 600 major trauma patients annually. Level I trauma centers can be either Adult or Pediatric Trauma Centers.
- Level II Trauma Centers: While similar to Level I centers, Level II trauma centers do not require the trauma research or surgical residency programs. They also have lower volume requirements for major trauma patients. Like Level I centers, Level II trauma centers can be Adult or Pediatric Trauma Centers.
- Level III Trauma Centers: These centers do not need neurosurgical resources and are typically smaller community hospitals that can handle moderate trauma cases. They provide initial care and stabilize patients with severe injuries before transferring them to a higher-level trauma center, such as a Level I or II center.
- Level IV Trauma Centers: These centers offer initial care and stabilization for trauma patients but are primarily focused on preparing and transferring patients to higher-level trauma centers for more specialized treatment.
Jump To:
- Level I Trauma Centers
- Level II Trauma Centers
List of Level 1 Trauma Centers in Philadelphia
Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital (formerly Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia)
Level 1 Trauma Center
Formerly called Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia, Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital is a teaching hospital located north of Center City and commonly receives patients who have sustained traumatic injuries from car accidents, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, and injuries sustained by a trip and fall, assault, or industrial accidents.
Homepage: https://www.jeffersonhealth.org/einstein
Trauma Center page: https://www.jeffersonhealth.org/locations/jefferson-einstein-hospital
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
Level 1 Regional Resource Trauma Center
According to the U.S. News & World Report, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC) is #1 in the region and #10 in the nation. Penn Medicine’s Level 1 Trauma Center is located in its Pavilion for Advanced Care (PAC). Also on their campus is Penn Medicine University City (PMUC). PennSTAR flight is the aeromedical service that covers 11 counties in Pennsylvania and much of Delaware and New Jersey. PPMC is also a leader in robotic-assisted surgery.
Homepage: https://www.pennmedicine.org/locations/penn-presbyterian-medical-center
Trauma Center page: https://www.pennmedicine.org/locations/penn-presbyterian-trauma-center
PennSTAR: https://www.pennmedicine.org/physician-resources/transfer-patient
St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children
Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center
St. Christopher’s has 220 pediatric experts on staff and has the only dedicated pediatric burn facility in Philadelphia. St. Christopher’s received their Level I Pediatric Trauma Center designation in 2003. Located in North Philadelphia, the hospital has been a leader in pediatric care since 1875 and serves patients from all over Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Homepage: https://towerhealth.org/locations/st-christophers-hospital-children
Trauma Center page: https://towerhealth.org/services/emergency-medicine/pediatric-emergency/pediatric-trauma-center
Temple University Hospital
Regional Resource Level 1 Trauma Centers
Temple University Hospital (TUH) is the only local trauma center with a burn program that is accredited by the American Burn Association. TUH is one of the United States’ premier academic medical centers and is the chief clinical training site for the Temple University School of Medicine.
Homepage: https://www.templehealth.org/locations/temple-university-hospital
Trauma Center page: https://www.templehealth.org/services/trauma-surgical-critical-care
Temple Burn Center: https://www.templehealth.org/services/burn
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
Level I Pediatric Trauma Center
Established in 1855, CHOP is “the birthplace of pediatric medicine in America”. CHOP was Pennsylvania’s first Pediatric Trauma Center and was accredited in 1986. The U.S. News & World Report ranked CHOP No. 1 in more specialties than any other pediatric hospital in the USA. CHOP’s Pediatric ICU (PICU) provides intensive care for infants to adolescents.
Homepage: https://www.chop.edu/
Trauma Center page: https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/trauma-center
Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals
Level 1 Regional Resource Trauma Center
Home of the Jefferson Advanced Spine Center, this hospital also has a comprehensive concussion center for injuries such as a concussion, skull fracture, or intracranial hematoma. JeffSTAT operates via ground and air 24 hours a day and provides Advanced Life Support. Many patients are transferred to this hospital from other hospitals in the area.
Homepage: https://www.jeffersonhealth.org/home
JeffSTAT: https://www.jeffersonhealth.org/clinical-specialties/jeffstat
List of Level 2 Trauma Centers in Philadelphia
Jefferson Torresdale Hospital
Level 2 Regional Resource Trauma Center
Formerly known as Aria Torresdale Campus and before that Frankford Hospital, Jefferson Torresdale Hospital is located in northeast Philadelphia. It’s also the home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College.
Homepage: https://www.jeffersonhealth.org/locations/torresdale-hospital
Trauma Center page: https://www.ptsf.org/trauma-center/aria-health-torresdale/
What Is a Trauma Center?
A trauma center is a specialized facility equipped with the necessary staff, services, and equipment to treat patients who have suffered traumatic injuries. Traumatic injuries are severe, life-threatening bodily injuries typically caused by incidents such as car accidents, falls, or gunshot wounds.
Trauma centers operate with dedicated trauma teams available 24/7, year-round. These teams consist of various specialists, including trauma surgeons, emergency physicians, trauma nurses, radiologists, OBGYNs, and neurosurgeons, all working together to provide immediate and comprehensive care.
Traumatic Injury Lawyer Near You in Philadelphia
Please contact us if you or any of your loved ones have suffered an injury and you’re looking for a traumatic injury lawyer. We are here to help you during this difficult time and to help you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
TL;DR
- Trauma centers provide specialized care for life-threatening injuries with 24/7 medical teams and resources.
- Trauma centers are categorized into levels, from Level I, offering comprehensive care, to Level IV, for initial stabilization and transfers.
- Major Level I centers in Philadelphia include Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
- Pediatric trauma care is available at specialized centers like St. Christopher’s and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
- Jefferson Torresdale Hospital is an example of a Level II trauma center in the region.







