Vandal gains access to medical files

Storage unit break-ins have become commonplace in the Flathead, but a recent incident had an unusual twist when a Kalispell medical practice discovered that its stored patient files had been accessed improperly.

Urology Associates has been letting patients know that the firm’s storage unit, which houses thousands of patient files under lock and key, was broken into in May.

“We sent out a lot of letters,” practice manager Tanna Darling said. “Over a few thousand letters have been sent out.”

Clinic officials believe that no files were stolen, although sensitive medical information was there.

In the form letter, the clinic says that someone gained access to those files sometime in late May. The break-in occurred at the clinic’s storage unit in a locked and gated facility.

The clinic believes that the perpetrator rented a separate unit in the facility and already had access to the main gate.

On May 26, Urology Associates became aware of the break-in. The metal around the padlock was cut to gain access. Other storage units in the same facility were broken into, according to the clinic’s letter.

Darling said that it’s unlikely that anything was stolen.

“Everything was in disarray, but it honestly didn’t look like they took anything,” she said.

This is one example of a larger trend of storage unit burglaries. It has put law enforcement on alert. Capt. Scott Warnell of the Kalispell Police Department said that the trend has been countywide.

“We are spending a lot of time with extra patrols on storage units, trying to find people in those areas that shouldn’t be there,” he said.

Arrests aren’t always assured in these cases. Storage facilities vary widely in security systems and property owners don’t always catch on to the crime right away.

Warnell said that finding a suspect can be difficult. “We need to find them there, going through a unit [or] in the area, with units broken into.”

He said that Urology Associates told police it appeared nothing had been taken. Police have recently detained suspects in storage unit burglaries, but Warnell said that they haven’t been linked to the clinic’s unit.

Urology Associates is offering its patients one year of credit monitoring at no cost as a precaution.

Warnell also recommended such a service for anyone who feels his or her information has been compromised. In addition, keeping a close watch on normal financial data such as bank accounts is advised.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.