What procedure must be followed when a patient's information is to be de-identified?

When de-identifying a patient's information, the essential procedure is to remove all personal identifiers. De-identification is a critical process to protect patient privacy, especially when handling health information. This involves eliminating any data that can identify an individual, such as names, addresses, social security numbers, and other unique identifiers. The removal of these identifiers ensures that the information cannot be traced back to the individual, adhering to regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

While notifying the patient in writing, documenting in the patient's record, or publishing the information publicly may have relevance in different contexts or scenarios, they do not align with the primary focus of de-identification. The most significant step in this process is the comprehensive removal of all identifiable information to ensure confidentiality and compliance with applicable laws governing patient data.