What does PHI stand for in healthcare?

PHI stands for Protected Health Information in the context of healthcare. This term encompasses a variety of data that can identify an individual and relates to their health condition, healthcare provisions, or payment details related to healthcare services. The protection of this information is mandated by regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which aims to safeguard patient privacy and maintain the confidentiality of their medical records.

Protected Health Information includes not only medical records but also any other identifiers, such as names, addresses, social security numbers, and dates of birth when these pieces of information are associated with medical records. The significance of understanding what PHI stands for lies in the recognition of the legal obligations healthcare providers and organizations have in handling such sensitive information to prevent unauthorized access and breaches of confidentiality.