It seems that most people get confused between ER & "trauma" service. If it was a "real emergency" (chest pain/stroke etc) the patient would go straight to the trauma service. Not so critical emergencies are treated in the ER, and that can involve 3-4 hour wait.
Quite a few hospitals with ERs also have a 'urgent care' or 'express care' clinic attached which are quite effective as they can a lot of things a ER can do, and expedite transfer to the ER if can't be treated there.
Quite a few hospitals with ERs also have a 'urgent care' or 'express care' clinic attached which are quite effective as they can a lot of things a ER can do, and expedite transfer to the ER if can't be treated there.