Čakovec Hospital under scrutiny after entrepreneur dies in waiting room

Luka Palatinuš, a 38-year-old entrepreneur from Palovec, died in the waiting room of the Županijska bolnica Čakovec on the night of August 19-20. Palatinuš, owner of BALL d. o. o., had arrived at the emergency department reporting chest pains and extremely high blood pressure, reportedly around 200.

His family, including his father Stjepan and his wife Jasmina, alleges that medical staff did not take his condition seriously. Stjepan Palatinuš noted that this was his son's third visit for similar issues and claimed staff made dismissive remarks. The family maintains that Palatinuš's condition deteriorated rapidly while waiting in the waiting area.

The hospital has responded by stating that Palatinuš was admitted, triaged into the third category, and underwent immediate medical processing, including an EKG and blood tests. The hospital claims that initial clinical indicators did not suggest an acute condition requiring immediate hospitalization. Following the death, the hospital initiated an internal audit, requested statements from involved staff, and ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.