Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center has filed a lawsuit against a woman who refused to leave the hospital after being discharged.

Gayle Strohacker was hospitalized Aug. 22, according to documents filed in district court. She was discharged sometime thereafter but refused to leave the hospital until Wednesday.

The hospital’s complaint filed Oct. 3 in Lancaster County District Court said Strohacker ran up a bill of $124,888, and the hospital seeks payment plus 12 percent annual interest, as spelled out by Nebraska statute.

The court summons said:

“On or about August 22, 2008, and continuing thereafter, the defendant became indebted to the plaintiff for ongoing medical services, goods, supplies and care provided to her at the defendant’s special insistence and request.”

It later adds: “Defendant continues to receive services from plaintiff as defendant refuses to check out of plaintiff’s facility despite the fact that defendant has been discharged.”

The summons was directed to Room 123 of Saint Elizabeth, where a person who had no knowledge of Strohacker answered the phone this week.

On Thursday, Saint Elizabeth issued the following statement:

“The only intention of Saint Elizabeth throughout this complex patient situation has been to find Ms. Strohacker the most appropriate level of care possible.

“And as of yesterday, Wednesday, October 8, we have found an assisted living facility for her to complete her rehabilitation.

“Saint Elizabeth always provides medically necessary care for any patient regardless of their situation or ability to pay.

“Saint Elizabeth took the step of placing the lien against her property — a step which can be reversed at any time — until other financial arrangements can be established.”

Federal medical privacy laws prohibit the hospital from releasing health information without a patient’s approval. No other information was available.

Reach Mark Andersen at 473-7238 or mandersen@journalstar.com.