emergency room
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emergency room
A special department in a hospital where patients with acute, life-threatening injuries or illnesses are treated immediately.
Nach dem schweren Autounfall wurde er sofort in die Notaufnahme gebracht.
After the serious car accident, he was taken to the emergency room immediately.
The word consists of 'die Not' (emergency, danger) and 'die Aufnahme' (the admission of patients). Literally, then, it is the place for admission in emergency situations.
Bei einem Herzinfarkt muss man sofort in die Notaufnahme.
In the event of a heart attack, you have to go to the emergency room immediately.
As with 'Krankenhaus' (hospital), the case after the preposition 'in' is important. Movement toward the place requires the accusative ('in die Notaufnahme' — into/to the emergency room), while staying or doing something there requires the dative ('in der Notaufnahme' — in the emergency room).
Der Krankenwagen brachte den Verletzten in die Notaufnahme.
The ambulance brought the injured man to the emergency room.
Common verbs in connection with the emergency room are 'jemanden einliefern' (to admit someone), 'jemanden bringen' (to bring someone), 'fahren' (to drive/go), or 'arbeiten' (to work).
Meine Tante arbeitet als Ärztin in der Notaufnahme.
My aunt works as a doctor in the emergency room.
outpatient clinic / ambulance
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.
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.
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.
