From June to August, Zadar hospital treated 21,986 adults and 5,360 children in its emergency departments. The season puts pressure on the system—but the figures say neither that all patients were tourists nor that every visit was avoidable.
Three months, two emergency departments, 27,346 treatments
Zadar General Hospital reported a total of 27,346 treatments in its emergency departments during June, July and August. Of these, 21,986 concerned adults and 5,360 the paediatric emergency department.
The total describes cases or treatments, not necessarily 27,346 different people. Above all, it shows how heavily the central acute-care service is used during the main season. Without a comparison covering all three months, however, no reliable percentage increase for the year can be calculated.
August figures rose for both adults and children
For August, the hospital reports 8,176 adult patients, compared with 7,782 in August 2025. Of these, 896 were admitted as inpatients, equal to 10.96 per cent. In the paediatric emergency department, the figure rose from 1,837 to 2,095, with 77 children admitted—3.68 per cent.
These admission rates describe the transfer from the emergency department to a ward. They do not measure how serious every case not admitted was: injuries, acute symptoms or examinations can also be urgent and end with discharge after treatment rather than a hospital bed.
The hospital cites seasonal demand—not 27,346 tourists
The hospital attributes the heavy influx to the tourism season and the growing number of people in the region. The published figures, however, do not include patients’ nationality, place of residence or reason for travel. Residents, seasonal workers and holidaymakers are not reported separately.
There is no breakdown by diagnosis either. The total therefore supports neither a ranking of typical holiday illnesses nor a claim that the emergency department was used predominantly by tourists. Both would go beyond what the hospital published.
Triage prioritises urgency, not arrival time
In an emergency department, the initial medical assessment determines who must be treated first. A life-threatening case that arrives later may therefore be called before a patient who has already been waiting. A long wait is stressful, but it does not automatically mean that nobody is working.
Conversely, discharge after examination does not prove that a visit was unnecessary. The purpose of an emergency department is precisely to identify, stabilise or rule out dangerous conditions. The published statistics do not permit a retrospective judgement of individual decisions.
For sudden severe symptoms, call 194 or 112
Croatia’s emergency medical service can be reached on 194; the European emergency number 112 can also arrange assistance. In the event of unconsciousness, breathing difficulties, severe chest pain, serious injury, heavy bleeding or other suddenly life-threatening symptoms, do not first search for an ordinary medical practice.
Anyone uncertain whether an acute situation is an emergency may also call and describe the person’s condition. A precise location, callback number and brief account of what happened are important. Medical urgency cannot be diagnosed reliably from a magazine checklist.
There are other doors for non-life-threatening complaints
For mild, long-standing or clearly non-life-threatening complaints, a family doctor, out-of-hours service or clinic set up for visitors may be appropriate. For the region, the hospital points to the ZDoctor platform, which brings together available tourist and general medical services.
Opening hours and seasonal services may change. This article therefore provides no fixed table of practices: the live overview should be checked on the same day. Anyone choosing a private practice should also clarify, where possible before treatment, whether and how charges will be made.
The practical decision is made before setting off
For travellers, the key distinction is simple: call 194 or 112 for a sudden serious threat; for non-urgent complaints, first look for a suitable practice that is open. This relieves pressure on the emergency department without downplaying genuine emergencies.
Identification, proof of insurance and a list of important medication help at admission if they are readily available. The person’s condition remains decisive, however—paperwork must never delay a necessary emergency call.
Evidence
Sources & date
Sources support the facts. Planning notes and recommendations are Golden Beach editorial assessments.
- Hitni prijami bez predaha: više od 27 tisuća pacijenata tijekom ljetne sezoneZadar General Hospital · checked 7 September 2026case totals from June to August, August comparison, inpatient admissions and the hospital’s assessment of seasonal demand
- Ambulante und PraxenZDoctor · live overview checked 7 September 2026current regional services for non-life-threatening complaints
- Emergency medical servicesGovernment of the Republic of Croatia · checked 7 September 2026emergency number 194 and basic advice for medical emergencies
- Kako ću znati jesam li hitan ili nisam ako me nešto boli?Croatian Ministry of Health · checked 7 September 2026distinguishing acute emergencies and the recommendation to seek medical help when uncertain
