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got PHI? Just Shred It!

Protect our patients' privacy by shredding materials containing PHI when you are finished using them.  It reduces the chances of PHI getting into the wrong hands. Throwing PHI in the wastebasket or recycling bin can lead to patient privacy violations.

What is PHI?  PHI is any information that can identify or lead to the identification of an individual patient.

Some examples of PHI. . . 

Patient Name	Social Security Number
Medical Record Number	Diagnosis
Lab Tests/Results	Medications
Encounter Number	Photographic Images
Birth Date	Discharge Date

PHI is everywhere - for instance. . .

Patient Encounter Forms	Census Reports
Clinic/Inpatient Notes	Monitor Strips
Lab Order Forms	Patient ID Bracelets
Appointment Schedules	X-Ray Films/CD-ROMs
Charge Tickets	Patient Menus
Patient Insurance Cards	Operative Reports
Unused Patient Labels	Radiology Requisitions

If you need assistance with disposing bulk materials containing PHI or ordering a locked shredding container for your work area, contact Environmental Services (EVS) at (773) 702-6296.

Just Shred It!

HIPAA Program Office
The University of Chicago Medical Center | 5841 South Maryland Avenue | Chicago, IL 60637
HPOwebmaster@bsd.uchicago.edu