Log anonymization is the removal of PHI from the record of reminder texts a clinic sends. It meets the HIPAA Privacy Rule (45 CFR Part 164). anonym.plus swaps the IDs on your device, so the delivery stats stay usable.
When this applies
A reminder system stores each text with the recipient's number, name, and slot. To study delivery and response rates, the personal parts must go.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Open the send history in anonym.plus on your device.
- It finds phone numbers, names, dates, and slot IDs.
- Delivery status and timing columns stay in place.
- Swap the personal fields, or black them out.
- Save the clean history on your device.
What you need to provide
- The history (CSV, JSON, or a text dump).
- An operator: Replace keeps the rows readable.
- Optional column map for number and name fields.
PHI entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Contact | PHONE_NUMBER | +1 415-555-0166 → [PHONE] |
| Names | PERSON | recipient name → [PATIENT] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | sent 7:00 6/04 → [TIME] |
| Free text | PERSON | “Hi Sam, your visit…” → [NAME] |
| Record IDs | MEDICAL_RECORD_NUMBER | booking ref → [REF] |
| Location | LOCATION | clinic name → [CLINIC] |
Compliance achieved
- Meets the HIPAA Privacy Rule (45 CFR Part 164) for reuse.
- Catches names inside the message body, not just the number column.
- Offline work keeps the send history on-site.
Anonymize SMS reminder logs offline — see plans & start free →
Limitations & cautions
The message body often greets the patient by first name, so the text and the number column both need a pass. A short body gives the tool few cues, so review the flags before you export.
Frequently asked questions
Is the phone number alone enough to remove?
It is a direct identifier and must go. But the body often names the patient too, so both the number and the text are swapped.
Do delivery stats survive?
Yes. Status and timing columns stay, so response-rate work runs while the personal fields are gone.
Can I process the whole history at once?
Yes. Point the tool at the export and it cleans each row on your device.