Tallahassee (Fla.) Memorial HealthCare is seeking a temporary injunction to remove a former patient who has remained in an inpatient room for about five months since being discharged, the Tallahassee Democrat reported March 15.
The complaint, filed March 2 in the Circuit Court of the Second Judicial Circuit in Leon County, Fla., asks the court to order the individual to vacate the hospital and authorize the Leon County Sheriff’s Office to assist in enforcement.
According to the filing, the patient was admitted for medical treatment but was discharged Oct. 6 after the attending physician determined she no longer required acute care hospital services. The complaint alleges the patient has continued occupying an inpatient room since that time.
Hospital staff made repeated efforts to assist the patient in completing discharge, including coordinating with family members and offering nonemergency medical transportation to obtain necessary identification, according to the complaint.
The hospital provided written notice Nov. 24 requiring the patient to vacate the inpatient room and advising that legal action could be pursued if she did not comply, the complaint states.
Tallahassee Memorial said the patient’s continued presence prevents the hospital from using the bed for patients who require acute care and diverts staff resources.
The health system is asking the court to require the patient to vacate the hospital within 24 hours of notice and authorize the sheriff’s office to assist with enforcement.
In a statement shared with Becker’s, Tallahassee Memorial said it “is not able to discuss active legal matters, including background details.”
The filing comes as the Tallahassee City Commission voted March 11 to transfer city-owned Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare assets to Florida State University as part of plans to develop an integrated academic health center.
A hearing on the request for a temporary injunction is scheduled for March 30.
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