JANOS SAMU Nov 9, 2011:

The facts of the matter If the patient was taken by ambulance to the Sürgősségi Betegellátó Osztály, then there is no doubt that it is the Emergency Section or Emergency Room. If not, it could be either, unless the context reveals more information. And to address Katalin's question regarding the urgent care units, they are units separate from emergency rooms to handle acute cases, so that people can go there without appointments or can get a same-day appointment when their family doctor or ususal provider is not available. Yes, some of them may be open after hours too, but most of them are open during regular clinic hours and after hours the patient can go to the ER (in case of Wilcox, for example). There are also some clinics in the U.S. that have extended hours and call themselves Urgent Care Centers.

Katalin Horváth McClure Nov 9, 2011:

Difference between ER and Urgent Care - Part 3 So, in my experience, there is a distinct difference between ER and Urgent Care. Janos may have a different experience in Hawaii, but even at the Wilcox hospital, that he referred to, the main clinic lists the ER and Urgent Care separately on their website.

Another thing to consider here is that from the other questions of this asker it seems this patient was taken to the "Sürgősségi Betegellátó Osztály" by an ambulance. Ambulances take you to the ER, they do not take anybody to an Urgent Care Clinic.

Katalin Horváth McClure Nov 9, 2011:

Difference between ER and Urgent Care - Part 2 The following link also explains the same thing:
http://www.empireblue.com/eralt/?wm_crID=8281153&wm_lpID=389...
"What will you do if you or a loved one needs immediate medical care? Most of us answer, “Go to the nearest emergency room.” But ER wait times are at an all-time high. So, unless it’s a true emergency, you’ll likely get quicker, quality medical care somewhere else, like urgent care centers. That’s why it’s important to know your ER alternative, before you need it. You can often get treated more quickly and pay much less than you would for emergency care.

ER alternative
Use this option when you need medical care quickly, but can’t see your regular doctor. Urgent care centers are usually open nights and weekends, and cost about the same as a doctor visit.
Urgent care clinics can usually handle problems like stitches, sprains and X-rays. Things that need immediate attention, but aren’t life threatening.

Katalin Horváth McClure Nov 9, 2011:

Difference between ER and Urgent Care - Part 1 I am posting here because there is no room at Janos's comment. He said my comment is "totally wrong", and Urgent Care is not for after hours. I would like to know what it is for then, when do you go there, what differentiates it from the ER, and where do you go if you have a non life-threatening medical problem that you need a doctor to see it, but your doctor's office is closed (e.g. it is Sunday or 8PM)?
My experience in the 2 states where I lived and used medical services is this: If your child came down with high fever and a throat-ache Saturday night, and you wanted a doctor to see him (for a strep-test and possibly antibiotics), you use to have only two options: wait until Monday morning, and take the kid to the pediatrician, or go to the hospital's ER. Waiting may not be a good idea if your child is miserable, and the ER can be a miserable experience, too. You usually had to wait a long time, because they would take care of the life-threatening cases first (obviously). Thankfully in the past few years, Urgent Care Centers/Clinics started to operate, providing a 3rd alternative. I can take my child there Saturday night to see a doctor. It is faster and cheaper than the ER.