Note de-identification is the removal of the 18 HIPAA Safe Harbor IDs (45 CFR §164.514(b)) from an asynchronous specialist consult. anonym.plus runs offline and keeps the clinical opinion that makes the exchange worth sharing.
When this applies
In an e-consult a generalist asks a specialist by message and gets advice back. The thread names both clinicians and the person seen. Strip those to teach.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Bring the exchange into anonym.plus on your device.
- It marks the patient, requester, and specialist names.
- Consult dates, contacts, and IDs get flagged too.
- Swap each one for a clear role label.
- Save the clean exchange on your device.
What you need to provide
- The exchange (DOCX, PDF, or message export).
- An operator: Replace keeps the advice readable.
- Optional role map for [SPECIALIST] / [PATIENT].
PHI entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Names | PERSON | Dr. Ferreira → [SPECIALIST] |
| Names | PERSON | N. Oyelaran → [PATIENT] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | asked 5/02 → [DATE] |
| Record IDs | MEDICAL_RECORD_NUMBER | MRN 61204 → [MRN] |
| Contact | EMAIL_ADDRESS | ref note email → [EMAIL] |
| Location | LOCATION | Dermatology dept → [DEPT] |
Compliance achieved
- Strips all 18 ID classes for HIPAA Safe Harbor (45 CFR §164.514(b)).
- Runs offline — no BAA for the tool.
- Working files are kept safe with AES-256-GCM.
Anonymize e-consult notes offline — see plans & start free →
Limitations & cautions
An async exchange often quotes the caller's own words. A job or a rare condition can re-identify with no name at all. Review such lines, and use Expert Determination for uncommon cases rather than Safe Harbor alone.
Frequently asked questions
Should I remove the specialist's name too?
Provider names are not PHI. But blinded teaching usually swaps them. The tool can flag patient and provider names together or apart.
Does the swap touch the advice?
No. The opinion, reasoning, and plan stay word for word. Only IDs change, so it keeps its teaching value.
Is an exchange from another site safe here?
Yes. Work is local, so an outside consult is cleaned with no upload.