Essays and HIPAA

[klj5269]

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Yes, I've done a search for this question already before asking it. It looks like nobody in the pharmacy forum has ever addressed this.

If you want to include real experiences in application essays without violating HIPAA, is it alright to include information like health status, gender, age, and medications prescribed? Is that information considered de-identified enough? I would never include name, birth date, address, or anything like that.

I've already finished most of my essays but didn't even think about this until now. I hope it is!

 

[owlegrad]

Yes, I've done a search for this question already before asking it. It looks like nobody in the pharmacy forum has ever addressed this.

If you want to include real experiences in application essays without violating HIPAA, is it alright to include information like health status, gender, age, and medications prescribed? Is that information considered de-identified enough? I would never include name, birth date, address, or anything like that.

I've already finished most of my essays but didn't even think about this until now. I hope it is!

I would leave out exact age, but it seems de-identified enough to me.

 

[Rx MPLS]

I think what you're describing is probably fine. To my understanding, you only violate HIPAA when you include identifiable patient information as well as private health information. Leave one or the other out, and you'll be OK.

Gender, general age-group and health-status should be ok so long as you don't include a patient name. Maybe make up some initials to refer to the patient (and be sure to mention in your essay that the initials are made up to protect the patient's identity), if you need.