Emergency department Emergency department An emergency department (ED), also known as an accident & emergency department (A&E), emergency room (ER), emergency ward (EW) or casualty department, is a medical treatment facility specializing in emergency medicine, the acute care of patients who present without prior appointment; either by their own means or by that of an ambulance. The emergency department is usually found in a hospital or other primary care center. Due to the unplanned nature of patient attendance, the department must provide initial treatment for a broad spectrum of illnesses and injuries, some of which may be life-threatening and require immediate attention.
St. Columcille's Hospital St. Columcille's Hospital St. Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown is a public hospital located in Loughlinstown, County Dublin, Ireland. It is managed by the Irish Government's Health Service Executive and provides acute-care hospital services, including a 24-hour emergency department, for the population of South Dublin and County Wicklow. In 2008, the hospital served 44,479 out-patients, and 4,236 in-patients, with an average stay of 10.5 nights. 89.7% of admissions were made via the accident and emergency department or 4,274 patients. In 2007, 23,812 patients presented to the emergency department. The hospital saw 2,735 day cases in the same year. The hospital provides 118