Tallahassee, Florida – Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare (TMH) has filed a lawsuit against a patient who has remained in a hospital room for over five months after being discharged, citing strain on limited resources and the inability to provide care for other patients. The woman was formally discharged on October 6, 2025, after medical staff determined she no longer required acute care hospital services, according to a complaint filed with the Leon County Court earlier this month.
The hospital alleges the patient continues to occupy an inpatient room as of March 2026, despite repeated attempts to facilitate her departure. TMH staff offered assistance with coordinating transportation, including non-emergency medical transport to obtain necessary identification, the complaint states. A written notice demanding the patient’s departure was issued on November 24, 2025, but was not heeded.
The lawsuit seeks a temporary injunction compelling the patient to leave the hospital and authorizing the Leon County Sheriff’s Office to assist in her removal if necessary. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for March 30, according to court documents.
TMH argues that the patient’s continued occupancy is preventing other individuals from accessing needed acute care. “The defendant’s continued occupancy prevents use of the bed for patients needing acute care,” the complaint reads. The hospital has “limited inpatient beds,” exacerbating the issue.
The case raises questions about the intersection of patient rights and hospital resource management. While hospitals receiving Medicare funding are legally obligated to treat all patients regardless of insurance status, federal law also permits discharge when acute care is no longer necessary, with a requirement for hospitals to create a discharge plan. It remains unclear how frequently hospitals resort to legal action to remove patients who refuse to leave after discharge.
TMH declined to comment on the specifics of the case, stating in an email that it is “not able to discuss active legal matters, including background details.” The patient is reportedly representing herself in the legal proceedings, and has not yet issued a public statement.
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