De-identify a Medical Record number 1

[mchambers]

Hello,

Does anyone know a formula I can use to create a new medical record number based off the patient's original MR# I have in my system? I have to de-identify some data and have no clue how I should accomplish this. Here is an example of what I am trying to do below.
MR# New#
1 65
2 105
1 65
3 175


Thanks!

 

[pmax9999]

You could simply add a predetermined number to the original record number, or multiply it by a predetermined number (or a combination of both).

The risk with such an approach is that anyone who knows the formula could determine the original number. Why not just replace all numbers (or at least some of the digits with a "*" (or a series of "*"s).

Cheers
Pete.

 

[mchambers]

Fantastic idea Pete! Thanks so much!