I'm probably wrong, but if I as to describe the rule in American English it would be "to the [place]" and "to [activity]". "Work" is an activity, just like pra

I'm probably wrong, but if I as to describe the rule in American English it would be "to the [place]" and "to [activity]". "Work" is an activity, just like practice, rehearsal, school, class, etc. but "hospital" is not.