We hope you never need this page — but if you do, we want it to be clear, calm, and easy to use.
If you think you’re having a true emergency, please stop reading and call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Your safety comes first — always.
🩺 Signs that it’s time to go to the ER:
You don’t need to wait until something feels catastrophic. If you’re having any of the symptoms below, err on the side of caution and seek immediate help.
Heart or breathing trouble:
Chest pain or pressure that doesn’t go away
A heart rate that’s very fast for 30 minutes or more (or new onset Afib on your smartwatch)
Trouble breathing, gasping for air, or wheezing
Sudden, very high blood pressure with other symptoms
Neurological symptoms:
Weakness, numbness, or drooping on one side of the body
Slurred speech, confusion, or trouble understanding others
Fainting or passing out
Sudden, severe headache unlike anything you've had before
Seizures, convulsions
New severe back pain with leg weakness or groin numbness
Injuries and trauma:
Large burns or burns on the face, hands, or genitals
Head injury with confusion, nausea, or loss of consciousness
Eye injury, sudden vision loss, or severe eye pain
Deep cuts, broken bones, or joints that look out of place
Serious falls, car accidents, or major trauma
Severe abdominal or internal symptoms:
Intense or persistent stomach pain
Heavy bleeding that won’t stop
Vomiting or diarrhea leading to dehydration
Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy
Other red flags:
Severe allergic reaction (swelling of face, lips, throat; trouble breathing)
Suspected overdose or poisoning
Fever over 101°F with rash or mental status changes
Severe cold or flu symptoms that worsen quickly
Thoughts of harming yourself or someone else
🏥 Where to go for emergency care near Fishtown
If you're in or around the 19125 area and need immediate care, these hospitals are trusted and well-equipped:
Temple University Hospital (link)
North Philadelphia’s major trauma and emergency center, serving many Fishtown patients with serious or complex needs.
Jefferson University Hospital (link)
Located in Center City — known for responsive emergency care and strong coordination with primary care.
Penn Medicine Emergency Rooms (link)
Options include the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), Penn Presbyterian, and Pennsylvania Hospital — all offer high-level acute care and specialty backup.
🤝 What we do — and what we don’t
At Fishtown Medicine, we’re here to help you avoid emergencies whenever possible — through same-day support, prevention, and early intervention.
But we’re not an emergency service. If you’re unsure whether something is urgent or not, and you feel unsafe waiting — go to the ER.
You can message us afterward to coordinate follow-up care, explain what happened, or get help navigating next steps.
💬 Not an emergency, but not feeling right?
If your symptoms don’t match the list above — but something feels off — we’re here. We can help you decide what’s needed next and guide you toward safer ground.
Just message us, and we’ll help assess what’s urgent, what’s preventable, and what support you need now.