Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) has filed a lawsuit against a former patient who has remained in the hospital for five months after being medically cleared and formally discharged on October 6, 2025. The hospital says the patient’s continued occupancy of an inpatient bed is preventing other patients in need of acute care from being admitted.
According to the complaint, TMH made repeated efforts to help the patient complete her discharge safely, including coordinating with family members and offering non-emergency medical transportation to obtain necessary identification. Despite these efforts, the patient remained in the hospital as of March 2026.
TMH emphasized that its limited number of inpatient beds are being strained by the patient’s prolonged stay. The complaint states, “The defendant’s continued occupancy prevents use of the bed for patients needing acute care.”
The hospital is now seeking a court order to require the patient to leave and is requesting authorization for the Leon County Sheriff’s Office to assist in her removal if necessary. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for March 30.
TMH declined to comment on active legal proceedings when contacted by Fox News Digital. The case highlights challenges hospitals face when patients refuse to leave after discharge, but it remains unclear how frequently legal action is used in such situations.
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