Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Missing VA laptop may affect health privacy of of 3,275 Spokane veterans

A missing laptop computer from the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center has prompted VA officials to notify 3,275 veterans that some of their personal health information may be compromised. (The Spokesman-Review)
From staff reports

Veterans Affairs officials in Spokane are notifying 3,275 veterans that their health information may be compromised because of a missing laptop computer.

An equipment inventory failed to find a vendor-issued laptop from the Mann-Grandstaff VAMC Lab.

It was used to interface with a hematology analyzer between April 2013 and May 2016.

An extensive search of the VA grounds did not locate the laptop.

In a news release outlining the issue, VA officials said they were uncertain what information was stored on the laptop. As a precaution, VA officials said they are alerting every veteran who may have had a blood sample processed on the analyzer.

At risk would be the names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of the veterans.

The VA said it would notify affected veterans with a letter about the situation and information regarding a year of free credit monitoring by Experian.