Table 1 Aggregated list of potential patient identifiers in datasets (Hrynaskiewicz [15])
From: Data sharing in clinical trials – practical guidance on anonymising trial datasets
Direct identifiers | Indirect identifiers |
|---|---|
01. Name | A. Place of treatment or health professional responsible for care |
02. Initials | B. Sex |
03. Address, including full or partial postal code | C. Rare disease or treatment |
04. Telephone or fax numbers or contact information | D. Sensitive data, such as illicit drug use or ‘risky behaviour’ |
05. Electronic mail addresses | E. Place of birth |
06. Unique identifying numbers | F. Socioeconomic data, such as occupation or place of work, income, or education |
07. Vehicle identifiers | G. Household and family composition |
08. Medical device identifiers | H. Anthropometry measures |
09. Web or internet protocol addresses | I. Multiple pregnancies |
10. Biometric data | J. Ethnicity |
11. Facial photograph or comparable image | K. Small denominators – population size of < 100 |
12. Audiotapes | L. Very small numerators – event counts of < 3 |
13. Names of relatives | M. Year of birth or age |
14. Dates related to an individual (including date of birth) | N. Verbatim responses or transcripts |
Superfluous | |
02. Superfluous information (audit trail data, administration data) | |