Flash drive containing patient information missing at Arnold Palmer Hospital

ORLANDO, Fla. — Officials at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children sent a letter to patients warning that the facility has lost a flash drive that contained patient information.

The flash drive contained information about roughly 580 children that have been treated at the hospital.

"It's concerning. Those types of information are supposed to be guarded. You worry about who's going to get a hold of it and what are they going to do with it," Stephanie Zellner, mother of an Arnold Palmer patient, said.

Zellner is hoping the flash drive doesn't contain information about her daughter or granddaughter, who have both been patients at Arnold Palmer.

Hospital officials said the flash drive disappeared on January 28, but staff didn't notice it was missing until two weeks later. The information on the flash drive included last names, assigned medical record numbers and dates of birth. According to the hospital, the flash drive did not have first names, social security numbers or other personal or health information.

"I think it should be more guarded and things like that shouldn't slip through the crack," Zellner said.

WFTV asked why the hospital waited so long before notifying patients, and officials said they first had to investigate and contact federal authorities.

WFTV