In re New York Methodist Hospital
New York Methodist Hospital filed an order to show cause on June 1, 2009, seeking a judgment under Public Health Law § 2801-c to compel respondent E.H. to discharge himself from the hospital and accept placement in a skilled nursing facility. The hospital also sought to seal court records. Respondent, E.H., opposed the discharge. A bedside hearing was conducted on June 2, 2009, where testimony from medical staff and family members was heard. The court found that E.H., a 32-year-old bedridden male with complex medical needs, no longer required acute hospital care and was competent to make decisions, but unreasonably refused discharge plans. Despite the hospital's diligent search, the only facility willing and able to meet his needs was Daughters of Jacob Nursing Home (DOJ), which E.H. refused. The court granted the hospital's application for an injunction to compel E.H.'s discharge and to accept appropriate placement, and also granted the request to seal the court records to protect his medical privacy.