In the everyday work at emergency departments (EDs), the patients being cared for have different needs and perceived symptoms. To meet their need for emergency care, knowledge of the work is important. The aim of this study is to explore the everyday work at a Swedish ED from a practitioner’s perspective. Method This study has a qualitative, exploratory design with observations and interviews at two EDs. Data were analysed by content analysis. Findings The everyday work is characterised by a rapid, short and standardised encounter with limited scope to provide individualised care, which leads to a mechanical approach. It is also characterised by an adaptive approach in which practitioners strive to be adaptable by structuring everyday work and cooperation to achieve a good workflow. Conclusions The study shows that the practitioners’ encounter with patients and relatives is rapid and of limited duration. The care activities that practitioners mainly perform comprise standard medical management and are performed more mechanically than in a caring way. The practitioners strive to balance the requirements and the realisation of the everyday work through structures and in cooperation with other practitioners, although they work more in parallel than in integrated teams.