Veteran Dies in VA Hospital While Forced to Wait 30 Minutes for Ambulance

Staff members at an Albuquerque Veterans Affairs hospital who called an ambulance after a veteran collapsed in the cafeteria followed procedure, officials said. (Credit: Los Angeles Times)

by: Los Angeles Times

Posted: Jul 4, 2014 / 08:10 AM PDT

Updated: Jul 4, 2014 / 11:33 AM PDT

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A veteran who collapsed in an Albuquerque Veterans Affairs hospital cafeteria this week died after waiting 30 minutes for an ambulance to transport him around the complex to the emergency room, officials confirmed Thursday.

Witnesses said the unidentified man appeared to be having a heart attack, but instead of being taken immediately to the ER – 500 yards away – he had to wait for an ambulance, the Associated Press reported. The incident happened Monday.

The Albuquerque VA declined additional comment to the Los Angeles Times.

Staff members who attended to the man were said to have followed procedure, which is to call 911, officials told the AP. That policy is under review.

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