A Lincoln hospital is taking a woman to court, claiming she refused to leave after she was discharged.

Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center has filed a lawsuit against Gayle Strohacker in Lancaster County District Court.

According to the lawsuit, filed Oct. 3, Strohacker was hospitalized on Aug. 22. She was discharged sometime after, but refused to leave until Wednesday.

The hospital said she has a bill of nearly $125,000.

In a statement, the hospital says its intent has been to find Strohacker the most appropriate level of care. On Wednesday, it found an assisted living facility for her to complete her rehabilitation.

Federal privacy laws prohibit the hospital from releasing health information without patient approval.

The Nebraska Hospital Association says it's rare for a patient to refuse to leave the hospital once discharged, but it does happen.

Dr. Richard Roberts is a professor at the University of Wisconsin who's affiliated with the American Academy of Family Physicians. He said some patients tend to think they're better off in the hospital until they feel a little better. Or they may be unable to perform common tasks, like going to the bathroom or making a meal, on their own.

But that doesn't mean they should remain hospitalized. Roberts says alternatives include placement at an assisted-living center or hiring a nurse to visit the home.