The patient in Room 373 has declined to leave.
Earlier this month, Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare filed a lawsuit against the patient, alleging she has refused to vacate her hospital room since being discharged last October. The hospital has also requested a state judge in Tallahassee to issue an injunction mandating the patient to leave the room and authorizing the county sheriff’s office to assist if needed.
The hospital claims that her continued stay has diverted resources from other patients in need.
The hospital stated in the lawsuit that the patient’s continued presence prevents the use of the bed for patients requiring acute care.
The lawsuit details that the woman was originally admitted for medical treatment, and a discharge order was issued on October 6, after it was determined she no longer required acute care. The hospital has made numerous attempts to arrange her departure in coordination with her family and even offered transportation to help her obtain necessary identification, as stated in the lawsuit.
On Wednesday, Rachel Givens, the hospital’s attorney, stated that the hospital had no comment. Similarly, Macy Layton, a hospital spokeswoman, noted in response to emailed inquiries that the hospital could not discuss ongoing legal matters, including questions about the type of identification the patient required.
The lawsuit does not specify the patient’s medical treatment, the amount of her hospital bill, or how she managed to remain in the hospital for over five months after being discharged.
No attorney is listed for the patient, who is representing herself. Phone numbers for the patient in an online database were disconnected, and calls to her hospital room went unanswered.
An online court hearing concerning the lawsuit is scheduled for the end of the month.
Under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, hospitals that receive Medicare funds must provide stabilizing treatment to anyone arriving at an emergency department with an emergency medical condition, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services can investigate hospitals for violations.
Patients can be discharged once clinicians determine that further care can be managed as an outpatient, provided there is a plan for appropriate follow-up care included in the discharge instructions, according to the federal agency’s operations manual.
