Protected health information (phi) is any information about a patient that has to do with a patient’s medical history, such as existing conditions and allergies. any information that could be used to individually identify a patient, such as name and address, aspects of the patient’s unique health history, or certain identification numbers. any information that could be used to discriminate against a patient, such as details about his or her race or ethnicity. any information about a patient that has to do with his or her criminal record or any other legal issues.

Explanation:

Health information is not only important in the commercial and medical sense, but also from the point of view of privacy. People with medical conditions are often vulnerable to abuse and discrimination that can affect them socially, economically and emotionally.

Therefore, an individual's personal health records should be treated as highly confidential information that should be kept away from unauthorized eyes at all costs.

Because of this, the concept of Protected Health information was created that encompasses not only information about the patient's health history (including illnesses, allergies, procedures etc.), but also any information that allows the patient to be identified as address, number phone, email, etc.