What does the term "individually identifiable" refer to?

The term "individually identifiable" specifically refers to information that can identify a person. This encompasses any data that, when linked together, allows a specific individual's identity to be discerned. This can include names, addresses, social security numbers, and any other details that can directly associate the information with a particular person.

When considering the context of health information, this understanding is crucial, especially regarding privacy regulations such as HIPAA. Under these regulations, health information that is considered "individually identifiable" must be protected to safeguard patient privacy.

Other options do not adequately capture the essence of "individually identifiable." While documents that contain personal health information do include identifiable information, they also encompass a broader category that may not specifically imply identifying characteristics. Anonymized data, by definition, has been modified to prevent identification of individuals, thus contradicting the notion of being identifiable. General patient demographics, while they may contain identifiable information in some cases, often refer to broader categories that do not specifically indicate an individual’s identity.