Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare has filed a lawsuit against a patient who has refused to leave her hospital room since being discharged in October. The hospital is seeking an injunction from a state judge to order the patient to vacate the room and authorise the county sheriff's office to assist if necessary.
According to the lawsuit, the patient was admitted for medical treatment and formally discharged on 6 October after clinicians determined she no longer required acute care. The hospital claims it has repeatedly tried to coordinate her departure with family members and offered transportation to obtain necessary identification.
The hospital argues that the patient's continued occupancy is diverting resources from other patients. 'Defendant's continued occupancy prevents use of the bed for patients needing acute care,' the lawsuit states. Rachel Givens, an attorney for the hospital, declined to comment.
The lawsuit does not specify the patient's medical condition, her hospital bill, or how she has remained in the room for over five months. No attorney is listed for the patient, who is representing herself. Phone numbers associated with her were disconnected, and a call to her hospital room went unanswered.
An online court hearing is scheduled for the end of the month. Under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, hospitals receiving Medicare funds must provide stabilising treatment to emergency patients regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Discharge is permitted when clinicians determine further care can be provided on an outpatient basis, with appropriate follow-up instructions.
