Tallahassee Hospital Seeks Court Order to Remove Patient Who Refuses to Leave

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Tallahassee Memorial Hospital has filed a lawsuit to force a former patient to leave the inpatient room she has occupied for over 5 months since her discharge on October 6, 2025. The hospital says the woman checked out on paper but never actually left, blocking the room from being used by patients who need acute care and tying up staff and resources.

Why it matters

Hospitals often face challenges with patients who refuse to leave after being discharged, which can strain limited bed capacity and staff resources. This case highlights the legal steps a hospital may take to address such situations and ensure rooms are available for those who require acute care.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Tallahassee Memorial Hospital says it has made multiple attempts to help the woman leave safely, including reaching out to her family and arranging non-emergency transportation so she could obtain identification. The hospital argues its bed capacity is limited and the woman's ongoing stay is preventing the room from being used by other patients in need of acute care, while also tying up staff and resources.

• The woman was discharged from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital on October 6, 2025.
• The hospital has filed the lawsuit in March 2026, over 5 months after the woman's discharge.

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to grant the hospital's request to order the woman to leave the inpatient room and authorize the Leon County Sheriff's Office to remove her if she refuses.