According to the dictionary, hospital is a singular count noun, so we should use an article before one.

Spotted hyenas are famed scavengers and often dine on the leftovers of other predators. But these hardy beasts are also skilled hunters that will take down wildebeest or antelope. They also kill and eat birds, lizards, snakes, and insects.

A more likely reason is simply that the two dialects developed their own abbreviations, one seeing the noun as plural and the other seeing it as singular. Awesome response thanks! Note that British people do say “a hospital” and “the hospital” when referring to any hospital or a specific hospital.

Emergency department: The department of a hospital responsible for the provision of medical and surgical care to patients arriving at the hospital in need of immediate care. The emergency department is also called the emergency room or ER.

Reasons to Go to the Emergency Department

• Any sudden or severe pain, or uncontrolled bleeding.
• Changes in vision.
• Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure.
• Confusion or changes in mental function, such as unexplained drowsiness or disorientation.
• Coughing or vomiting blood, or bright red blood in bowel movements.

Although a hospital-owned ER is not physically attached to the hospital that owns it, the hospital operates and staffs the freestanding ER. In contrast, an independently owned (private) ER is not part of a hospital or health system. The doctors, nurses and other personnel are private employees.

Reduce Unnecessary Emergency Room Visits By Educating Patients

1. Create a campaign: Call your MD before heading to the ED.
2. Develop handouts that direct people to the right place for care.
3. Provide condition specific follow up guidance to patients.
4. Promote the use of personal health triage applications.

Here is a typical ER visit: After you explain your emergency, a triage nurse will assess your condition. You will be asked to wait or go immediately to an exam room, depending on the severity of your illness or injury. Your ER doctor will review your test results with you and explain next steps in your care.