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.
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.
practice / office
'die Praxis' and 'die Ambulanz' can both be places where patients are treated. A 'Praxis' is normally a doctor's or dentist's own place of work, for example in a residential building or medical center. An 'Ambulanz' is usually a department in a hospital or a special unit for patients who do not stay overnight. The words can be confused because you receive medical help at both. For a normal family doctor appointment, you usually say 'Praxis'; for treatment in a hospital without an overnight stay, 'Ambulanz' is more appropriate.
Nach dem Sturz wurde Paul in der Ambulanz des Krankenhauses untersucht.
After the fall, Paul was examined in the hospital's outpatient clinic.
Morgen früh gehe ich wegen meiner Halsschmerzen in die Praxis.
Tomorrow morning I'm going to the doctor's office because of my sore throat.