A stubborn patient has refused to leave her Florida hospital room even though she was discharged by doctors five months ago, a lawsuit alleges.
Charlotte Paynter has allegedly been unlawfully occupying Room 373 at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital since October, according to a civil lawsuit filed by the hospital on March 3.
Paynter, 69, was admitted to the medical facility for treatment for an undisclosed condition last year, the hospital said in the complaint obtained by the Daily Mail.
Doctors issued a formal discharge order on October 6 after it was determined that she no longer needed acute care services, the filing said.Â
Paynter has allegedly ‘refused to vacate’ her hospital room even though medical staff have made ‘repeated efforts’ to help her ‘safely complete discharge.’
The complaint does not say when Paynter was first admitted to the facility, but notes the hospital provided her with a written order to vacate on November 24.
Tallahassee Memorial claimed in the complaint that resources have been diverted from helping other patients because of her continued occupation of the room.Â
The hospital has now asked a state judge in Tallahassee for an injunction ordering the patient to vacate the hospital room and authorizing the county sheriff’s office to assist if necessary.
Charlotte Paynter, 69, has been unlawfully occupying Room 373 at Tallahassee Memorial hospital since October, according to a civil lawsuit filed by the hospital on March 3
The hospital has now asked a state judge in Tallahassee for an injunction ordering the patient to vacate the hospital room and authorizing the county sheriff’s office to assist if necessary
Tallahassee Memorial claims it has repeatedly made efforts to coordinate Paynter’s departure with family members, according to the lawsuit that is seeking equitable relief.
The hospital has also offered ‘non-emergency medical transportation to obtain necessary identification’ to complete the discharge, the filing said.Â
The lawsuit does not reveal what Paynter’s hospital bill was or how she was able to stay at the facility for more than five months despite allegedly being discharged.
It does, however, note that ‘monetary damages cannot remedy the ongoing harm’ caused by Paynter’s presence.
‘Defendant’s continued occupancy prevents use of the bed for patients needing acute care,’ the hospital said in the complaint.
An online court hearing has been scheduled for March 30, court records show. Paynter was issued a summons requiring that she attend.Â
No attorney was listed for Paynter and phone numbers associated with her have been disconnected.
It is unclear where Paynter was living ahead of her hospital stay. Her last known address was in 2020 at a residence in South Carolina, public records show.Â
Rachel Givens, an attorney for the hospital, declined to comment on the case.
Paynter, seen in a throwback photo shared by her son in a birthday tribute, has allegedly ‘refused to vacate’ her hospital room even though medical staff have made ‘repeated efforts’ to help her ‘safely complete discharge,’ the lawsuit alleges
Hospital spokeswoman Macy Layton told the Associated Press that the hospital couldn’t discuss active legal matters, in response to emailed questions, including about what type of identification the patient needed.Â
Under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, hospitals that receive Medicare funds must provide treatment that stabilizes anyone coming to an emergency department with an emergency medical condition, even if the patient doesn’t have insurance or the ability to pay.Â
Hospitals can be investigated by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for violations.
The patient can be discharged when the clinicians have determined that any further care can be provided as an outpatient, ‘provided the individual is given a plan for appropriate follow-up care as part of the discharge instructions,’ the federal agency said in an operations manual.
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Stubborn patient is SQUATTING in Florida hospital and refuses to leave their bed despite not needing treatment, lawsuit alleges