A patient at a hospital in Orlando, Florida, has declined to leave her room even months after being officially discharged, prompting legal action from the healthcare facility.
Earlier this month, Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare filed a lawsuit against the woman, saying that she has continued occupying her hospital room since her discharge in October.
The hospital is asking a judge in Tallahassee to issue an order requiring her to vacate the premises and to allow assistance from the county sheriff, if needed, reports AP-UNB.
According to the hospital, her ongoing stay has affected its ability to treat other patients. In its legal filing, the facility noted that her continued use of the room is preventing it from being assigned to individuals who require immediate medical care.
Court documents indicate that the patient was originally admitted for treatment but was formally cleared for discharge on 6 October after doctors determined that she no longer required acute medical services.
The hospital also said that it made multiple attempts to arrange her departure, including coordinating with family members and offering transportation to help her obtain necessary identification.
Rachel Givens, an attorney representing the hospital, declined to comment on the matter. Similarly, hospital spokesperson Macy Layton said that the facility could not discuss details because the case is ongoing.
The lawsuit does not include specifics about the patient’s medical condition, her hospital charges, or how she managed to remain in the room for more than five months after discharge.
The patient does not appear to have legal representation and is handling the case on her own. Attempts to contact her have been unsuccessful, as listed phone numbers are no longer in service. Calls made to her hospital room have also gone unanswered.
A virtual court hearing regarding the case is expected to take place later this month. Under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), hospitals that receive Medicare funding are required to provide emergency care to anyone who arrives with a serious medical condition, regardless of their insurance status or financial situation.
However, once a patient is medically stable and no longer requires inpatient care, they may be discharged, provided they are given appropriate follow-up instructions for continued treatment outside the hospital.
