Every year, on May 12th, Nurses' Day is celebrated. And when we talk about healthcare, we're talking about personal data. As a result, institutions and professionals need to comply with the LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law).
To provide context, the objective of the General Data Protection Law is to guarantee privacy and, as the name itself indicates, to protect the personal data of individuals located in Brazil.
It encompasses a set of guidelines to ensure that data controllers comply with the law, preventing potential harm to data subjects. In other words, it reinforces the desire to have a safe and reliable environment for everyone.
However, it is important to know that the misuse of personal information, including that of individuals, is subject to sanctions and penalties — depending on its consequences and damages.
It's worth noting that companies worldwide suffer data breaches on their platforms. Therefore, technology is a major contributing factor for healthcare institutions, which have become frequent targets of cybercriminals.
In a hypothetical scenario data leakage Whether on a large or small scale, and whether due to negligence or intent on the part of a nurse, the institution can be held liable. To address this issue, nurses need to be aware of data protection and understand their role as professionals who frequently handle personal data.
What information can the nurse request?
In addition to identifying information, such as the patient's name, contact information (email or phone), address, and date of birth, nurses may request information that helps conduct the consultation to expedite certain processes.
In general, healthcare professionals have the right to request information such as medical history, medications already used, blood type, and family medical history, provided that all of this information is necessary. For example, if the data subject's life is at risk, access to this information is paramount.
Health information is considered sensitive data.
Note that all the information above is part of what is called sensitive data. That is, data relating to health, sex life, or genetics are considered sensitive.
In other words, this is information that reveals particular and intimate characteristics of people. Furthermore, when in the wrong hands, it can be used unfairly as ammunition to discriminate against data subjects. For this reason, information such as sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and political opinions fall into this category.
Understanding the role of healthcare institutions in protecting personal data.
In a digitized world, a wealth of patient information is stored and found on the platforms of the institutions where healthcare workers operate. Knowing this, we have yet another figure in the story—one that doesn't negate the importance of individualized care from each professional.
Ideally, every hospital, clinic, and laboratory should comply with the LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law) to prevent anti-privacy actions and the misuse of patients' personal data.
In short, healthcare professionals should work in conjunction with their healthcare institutions. If they are self-employed, they should use secure platforms and follow their privacy policies. Furthermore, it is essential to know how to use the information they receive correctly and ethically, and to know how to filter what is necessary.
Privacy Tools is a privacy management tool that helps companies achieve greater compliance with the LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law). Discover our features!
