ECG de-identification is the removal of PHI from the printout under the HIPAA Privacy Rule (45 CFR Part 164). anonym.plus runs it on your own device. The waveform stays, but the header names no one.
When this applies
A teaching set needs a clear rhythm strip. The trace can stay, yet the printed header with the name and date must be hidden first.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Open the file (PDF or scan) on your own computer.
- Local OCR reads the printed header band.
- The tool flags the name, date, and patient ID.
- Check each flag and keep the rate and interval values.
- Black out the header fields, or swap them for tokens.
- Save the clean copy. The first one stays with you.
What you need to provide
- The file (PDF, image, or paper scan).
- An operator: Replace (swap), Redact (remove), or Mask (partial).
- Optional: a name map for serial tracings.
PHI entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Names | PERSON | Tomas Vega → [PATIENT_1] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | Recorded 09/14/2025 → [DATE] |
| Record IDs | MEDICAL_RECORD_NUMBER | MRN 478200 → [MRN] |
| Age | AGE | Age 58 → [AGE] |
| Site | ORGANIZATION | Lakeside Cardiology → [SITE] |
| Contact | PHONE_NUMBER | (305) 555 0177 → [PHONE] |
Compliance achieved
- Removes PHI under the HIPAA Privacy Rule (45 CFR Part 164).
- Runs offline, so the tool itself needs no BAA.
- Working files are kept safe with AES-256-GCM.
- Covers GDPR Art. 9 health data for EU patients too.
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Limitations & cautions
The header band holds the patient data on most layouts. OCR reads it well when the print is crisp. Faded thermal paper can be hard to read, so verify the result.
Frequently asked questions
Does the waveform itself carry any PHI?
The trace is just a signal. The risk sits in the header text. The tool hides that band while the trace stays whole.
Will heart rate and intervals be kept?
Yes. Those are clinical numbers, not patient IDs. They are left in place so the strip still teaches the rhythm clearly.
Can I keep tracings from one patient linked?
Yes. A name map gives the same patient one stable token across files. Serial strips stay grouped with no real name shown.