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Protecting personal information: Implications of the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act for healthcare professionals

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M Buys

Abstract


Careless handling of patient information in daily medical practice can result in Health Professions Council of South Africa sanction, breach of privacy lawsuits and, in extreme cases, serious monetary penalty or even imprisonment. This review will focus on the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act (No. 4 of 2013) and the implications thereof for healthcare professionals in daily practice. Recommendations regarding the safeguarding of information are made.


Author's affiliations

M Buys, Specialist anaesthetist, private practice, Western Cape, South Africa

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Keywords

Protection of Patient Information Act POPI Act; Patient information; Patient confidentiality; South Africa

Cite this article

South African Medical Journal 2017;107(11):954-956. DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2017.v107i11.12542

Article History

Date submitted: 2017-10-31
Date published: 2017-10-31

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