DOI:10.2214/AJR.05.0454
AJR 2005; 185:1659-1662
© American Roentgen Ray Society
Removing Hidden Patient Data from Digital Images in PowerPoint
Chun-Shan Yam1
1 Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard
Medical School, WCC, Room 306, 1 Deaconess Rd., Boston, MA 02215.
OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to discuss the potential
issue of exposing patient information from digital images used in PowerPoint
presentations.
CONCLUSION. Current methods for safeguarding patient information in
PowerPoint presentations still contain the potential for risk. In radiology,
many digital images used in PowerPoint contain hidden patient identification
information. Although cautious use of cropping and masking techniques has been
adequate for presentation, the hidden information is still available as part
of the digital image and may pose Health Insurance Portability and
Account-ability Act (HIPAA) risks. This article will discuss the origin of
this issue and describe simple solutions for permanently removing patient
information using built-in PowerPoint functions.

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Copyright © 2005 by the American Roentgen Ray Society.