What is the definition of de-identified health information?

De-identified health information is defined as health information that has been stripped of all identifiers that could potentially link back to an individual patient. This means that any details that could reveal the identity of the patient, such as names, addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, and any other personal identifiers, have been removed. The purpose of de-identification is to protect patient privacy while still allowing the use of health information for research, analysis, and other purposes without compromising individual confidentiality.

This process is crucial in complying with privacy regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which mandates strict guidelines for handling and protecting personal health information. De-identified information is valuable because it enables researchers and healthcare providers to utilize data without risking patient identity breaches.