Veterans seeking care at the Miami VA Medical Center face an unexpected danger: malfunctioning elevators that have injured over a dozen people in the past two years.
At a Glance
- Malfunctioning elevators at Miami VA Medical Center have injured at least 12 people in two years
- Employees describe the elevators as “death traps” and compare riding them to “playing Russian roulette”
- The facility faces additional structural issues, including problematic HVAC systems and leaking roofs
- VA management claims to be addressing safety concerns, but staff and patients remain skeptical
Elevator Hazards Plague Miami VA Medical Center
The Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Miami is facing severe criticism over the safety of its elevators. Reports of sudden drops, skipped floors, and entrapments have left staff and patients in fear. These incidents have resulted in injuries to at least a dozen individuals over the past two years, with some injuries being career-ending.
One anonymous employee recounted a harrowing experience: “I get on the elevator, initially, I’m going to go to the second floor. The elevator skips the second floor, goes to the third, falls all the way back down to the first,” the employee told CBS Miami. Another worker likened their experience to a “Hollywood Horror Ride.”
Employees at the Miami VA Hospital are raising concerns about malfunctioning elevators, with reports of sudden drops and safety issues adding to complaints about the aging facility.https://t.co/A42QFC7li5
— CBS News Miami (@CBSMiami) January 18, 2025
Union Voices Concerns Over Veteran Safety
The National Nurses United Miami VA Chapter has been vocal about the dangers posed by the faulty elevators. Bill Frogameni, a registered nurse and Director of the chapter, didn’t mince words when describing the situation. “The hospital is supposed to be a place of healing. It is not supposed to have death trap elevators,” he said.
“Every time I step into an elevator, it’s like playing Russian roulette,” Eurys Gamez, a registered nurse and safety officer, told the New York Post.
The union is eagerly awaiting a 2024 update on infrastructure repairs, following a 2023 report that found all elevators in the 12-story building had parts in “poor or critical condition.”
VA Response and Ongoing Challenges
In response to these concerns, the Miami VA Healthcare System claims to be addressing the issues. A spokesperson stated, “When elevator issues arise, Miami VA Medical Center works to address them immediately. All Miami VAMC elevators are in compliance with current elevator safety standards.” However, employees remain skeptical of these assurances.
The elevator issues are just one part of a larger problem facing the Miami VA Medical Center. The facility is grappling with persistent structural challenges, including problematic HVAC systems and continually leaking roofs. These issues have led to the closure of the 12th-floor medical-surgical unit, with reopening expected by mid-February as part of an ongoing construction project.
Adding to the facility’s woes, an outdated HVAC system failed during a recent record heat wave, further compromising patient care. Full replacement of aging equipment, including air handlers, is not expected until 2027, leaving veterans and staff to contend with subpar conditions for years to come.