ORLANDO, Fla. (Civitas) — The patient in Room 373 refuses to leave.
Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare earlier this month sued the patient, claiming she has refused to vacate her hospital room since being discharged last October. The hospital has requested a state judge's injunction for aid in removal from the facility.
Hospital authorities state that the patient's continued occupancy of the room has diverted crucial resources from other patients. “Defendant’s continued occupancy prevents the bed from being used for patients needing acute care,” the lawsuit argues.
According to court documents, the woman was admitted for medical treatment, receiving a formal discharge order on October 6, after determining she no longer required acute care services. The hospital reportedly attempted to coordinate her departure with family members and provided transportation options for obtaining necessary identification.
Rachel Givens, an attorney representing the hospital, stated there would be no comment on ongoing legal matters. However, hospital spokesperson Macy Layton indicated that they cannot discuss active cases, including questions regarding the specific identification the patient needs.
Notably, the lawsuit does not disclose the nature of the patient’s treatment, her hospital costs, or how she has managed to stay for more than five months after a discharge order.
No attorney has been listed for the patient, who is representing herself, with efforts to contact her via provided numbers proving unsuccessful. An online court hearing regarding the lawsuit is anticipated at the end of the month.
Under federal regulations, hospitals receiving Medicare funding are mandated to provide emergency care without regard for a patient’s insurance status or ability to pay. These establishments can face scrutiny from federal agencies like CMS for potential violations. Patients can discharge when clinicians deem that necessary follow-up can be managed as outpatients, along with proper discharge instructions from the hospital.
