Robin,

There are two provisions in the Privacy Rule that address de-identification (described in 45 CFR 164.514 “Other requirements relating to uses and disclosures  of protected health information”): statistical certification [§164.514(b)(1)]; and removal of 18 specific data elements [§164.514(b)(2)(i)(A-R)] (‘Safe Harbor method’). The statistical certification method will require significant work and documentation to demonstrate the data are in fact de-identified. The Safe Harbor method is simpler to do, but dates of any kind (I assume ‘birthrates’ was a typo) will make your data identifiable under the Rule.

 

A Limited Data Set [§164.514(e)(1)] allows more data to be included (only 16 elements require removal). Dates, subject identifiers based on PHI (e.g., subject ID containing initials); and geographic areas smaller than a state are among the permitted elements. However, using a Limited Data Set will require you to have a Data Use Agreement [§164.514(e)(4)] in place with the recipient of the data.

 

This also assumes that there are no state or local regulations or internal policies that make these methods unusable to you.

 

Bruce

 

Bruce Steinert, PhD, CCRA

Administrative Director, Clinical Trials Center

Research Institute

NorthShore University HealthSystem

847-570-1002 (Office)

 

 


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From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@lists.healthresearch.org] On Behalf Of xxxxxx@mcdaniel.edu
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2013 4:38 PM
To: xxxxxx@lists.healthresearch.org
Subject: [RESADM-L] HIPAA Help

 

I am in need of some guidance. I haven't worked with HIPAA in over 3 years, and I don't have anyone here to ask.

 

What is the difference between "de-identified data" and "limited data sets" in terms of the HIPAA privacy rule? Specifically, I have an IRB protocol under review where they are collecting birthrates of nursing home patients. I'm more than willing to share my concerns and more details off-list to anyone who could help me.

 

Thank you, Robin

 

*****************************************

 

Robin N Dewey, MS, CRA
Director, Office of Academic and Government Grants
McDaniel College
2 College Hill
Westminster, MD 21157-4390
Voice: 410-386-4699
Cell: 585-797-8536

Skype: rndewey

xxxxxx@mcdaniel.edu

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