Experienced first hand the abuse of the ER. I was working for myself a few months ago, walked outside to fill a bucket of water at night to clean my tools. Wrong step and slammed into a five foot deep egress basement hole. Gouged my leg and slammed my side hard. Knowing I needed stitches (10) and possibly something wrong slamming my stomach I went to the er about ten at night. Busy as heck at altru. I guess they go based on need. I think I got in about six am. Talked to a women there while waiting. Sounded like she was there every other week. Something about her knee hurting. Probably all that weight she was carrying.