Which of the following statements about de-identified health information is true?

De-identified health information refers to data that has had all personal identifiers removed so that individuals cannot be readily identified. This ensures the privacy and confidentiality of patients, which is critical in healthcare compliance.

The statement that it does not allow identification of individuals is true because de-identification requires the removal of specific identifiers, such as names, social security numbers, and other direct identifiers, so that the remaining information cannot be linked back to an individual. This broadens the use of health data for various purposes, such as research and analysis, while maintaining compliance with regulations like HIPAA.

The other statements reflect misunderstandings of what constitutes de-identified information. For example, including direct identifiers contradicts the very definition of de-identification, as these identifiers must be removed to classify the data correctly. Similarly, while de-identified data must be managed carefully, it does not need to be completely separate from Protected Health Information (PHI), as it can originate from PHI but must be stripped of identifying traits. Finally, de-identified health information can indeed be used for research, which is one of its primary applications, fostering advancements in healthcare without compromising individual privacy.