Local vets' personal information could have been compromised

The Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane has notified 1,915 veterans whose protected health information was potentially compromised.

One of two USB hard drives stolen last July 18 was the master drive used by a Veterans Health Administration contract employee in January to copy and move a Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center database of anesthesia records from a decommissioned server to another server.

The hard drives were stolen from the contract employee while the individual was conducting a service call at the VA Medical Center in Oklahoma City. The theft was reported to police.

Spokane VA hospital officials said in a news release that while they cannot say for certain what information was on the stolen USB hard driver, they are alerting every veteran whose personawl information resides on the decommissioned server.

“We have determined the information at possible risk may include full names, Social Security numbers, addresses, phone contacts, surgical and insurance information,” said a news release.

The Spokane VA is sending a letter of notification to all potentially affected veterans and, where appropriate, an offer of credit monitoring for one year at no charge.

Veterans with questions about this incident may write to:

Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center

ATTN: Privacy Officer

4815 North Assembly Street

Spokane, WA 99205-6197