An identifier includes any information that could be used to link research data with an individual subject. … Age, ethnicity/race, gender may be identifiers under the Common Rule if fewer than 5 individuals possess a particular cluster of traits.

What is considered an identifier?

Demographic information is also considered PHI under HIPAA Rules, as are many common identifiers such as patient names, Social Security numbers, Driver’s license numbers, insurance details, and birth dates, when they are linked with health information. … FAX numbers. Social Security numbers. Email addresses.

What are the 2 methods of de identification?

As discussed below, the Privacy Rule provides two de-identification methods: 1) a formal determination by a qualified expert; or 2) the removal of specified individual identifiers as well as absence of actual knowledge by the covered entity that the remaining information could be used alone or in combination with other …