Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare in Florida has filed a lawsuit to remove a former patient who has remained in a hospital room for more than five months after a formal discharge on October 6. The hospital is asking a court to authorize her removal and to allow enforcement by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The complaint says her continued occupancy “prevents use of the bed for patients needing acute care,” according to AP.
The woman was admitted for medical treatment before the discharge order determined she no longer required acute care services. Hospital records say staff made repeated efforts to help her complete the discharge safely, according to USA Today. They cite attempts to coordinate transportation and family involvement, as well as help with identification needs.
Acting without legal counsel
The patient, acting without legal counsel, has not publicly outlined her rationale for refusing to leave. Contact information listed for her has not been functional.
Unusual occupancy situations are not unheard of in hospitals. In Ireland, a woman refused to leave a hospital for 719 days after clinicians said she no longer needed treatment, asserting she still had undiagnosed health problems.