outpatient clinic / ambulance
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outpatient clinic
A department in a hospital or doctor's office for treating patients who do not need to stay overnight (outpatient treatment).
Nach dem kleinen Unfall musste er zur Wundversorgung in die Ambulanz des Krankenhauses.
After the minor accident, he had to go to the hospital's outpatient clinic to have the wound treated.
ambulance
A term for an ambulance, used especially in Austria and Switzerland.
Rufen Sie schnell eine Ambulanz, es gab einen schweren Sturz!
Call an ambulance quickly; there has been a serious fall!
The word 'Ambulanz' comes from the Latin verb 'ambulare', which means 'to walk' or 'to wander around'. This refers to patients who can come for treatment and leave again, meaning they are treated 'ambulant' (as outpatients).
Die meisten Patienten können nach der Behandlung in der Ambulanz wieder nach Hause gehen.
Most patients can go home again after treatment in the outpatient clinic.
Careful: in Germany, 'die Ambulanz' is usually a department in a hospital (outpatient clinic). It is not the vehicle, as the English word 'ambulance' might suggest. The vehicle is called 'der Krankenwagen' in German.
Für die Nachuntersuchung musste ich in die orthopädische Ambulanz.
For the follow-up examination, I had to go to the orthopedic outpatient clinic.
In Austria and Switzerland, 'die Ambulanz' is the usual term for an ambulance. In Germany, this meaning is normally not used and can lead to misunderstandings.
Nach dem Unfall war die Ambulanz schnell vor Ort. (in Österreich/Schweiz üblich)
After the accident, the ambulance was quickly on the scene. (common in Austria/Switzerland)
The verb helps distinguish the meanings. 'In die Ambulanz gehen' (to go to the outpatient clinic) or 'in der Ambulanz sein' (to be in the outpatient clinic) refers to the clinic. 'Eine Ambulanz rufen' (to call an ambulance) refers to the ambulance vehicle, especially in Austria/Switzerland.
Er geht wegen seines gebrochenen Arms in die Ambulanz.
He is going to the outpatient clinic because of his broken arm.
emergency room
Both words can refer to a hospital department for patients who do not stay overnight. However, the Notaufnahme is for acute, life-threatening illnesses or injuries, while the Ambulanz also provides planned outpatient treatment. Notaufnahme is the right term for an acute emergency, while Ambulanz is more suitable for an appointment.
Für die geplante Untersuchung meldete sich die Patientin morgens in der Ambulanz.
For the scheduled examination, the patient checked in at the outpatient clinic in the morning.
Nach dem Sturz brachte der Rettungsdienst den Verletzten sofort in die Notaufnahme.
After the fall, the emergency services took the injured person straight to the emergency room.
