Miami VA Health Care system has air conditioning issues as South Florida temps rise, workers say
MIAMI -- An anonymous employee at the Miami VA Health Care System along with several family members of veterans being treated there say they are seriously concerned about the conditions in this nursing unit.
Sources tell CBS News Miami there have been operational issues with the air conditioning system for about a week and that the inside of the nursing unit is unbearably hot.
"The veterans are, a lot of them are dehydrated," said an employee, who wished to remain anonymous.
One CBS News Miami viewer sent us video of what looks to be devices used to circulate air in the building.
"The third floor has been evacuated," the employee said. "We still have veterans on one and two."
A family member of one of the veterans said that his father was transferred to ICU following the air conditioning issues.
The VA employee says the scorching South Florida summer heat is taking a toll on some of the patients.
"Some have been in the emergency room, some have been transported to ICR," said the employee.
CBS News Miami reached out to officails with Miami VA about the allegations.
While they say they are experiencing an issue with the air conditioning, they said they acted quickly, putting "spot chillers" inside of the building as they continue to work on repairs.
Miami VA spokesman Ken Griffin, provided us with this statement that said in part: "A limited number of patients were preemptively moved to other areas of the hospital (not the Emergency Department), ensuring maximum safety for our patients. We are continuously monitoring patient safety and comfort as we work through this issue. The claim that residents needed the emergency room is false, although the emergency room is available for anyone who feels they may need their services."
But some employees and family members said they're fed up,adding that the military veterans here deserve better care.
"If I had to put a percentage on the veterans being taken care of right now, I will give it 50 percent," said the employee.
In an emailed statement released to CBS News Miami on Monday, hospital officials said: "The Miami VA did not transfer patients as planned. Measures were taken to ensure appropriate room temperatures were maintained at acceptable levels overnight. We are in the process of installing an additional 500-ton chiller to reduce future strains on our HVAC systems."
The Miami VA had planned to transfer some patients to a West Palm Beach out of an abundance of caution but decided the action was not necessary because temperatures were returning to normal as a result of the "spot coolers" that were placed in the facility.