Potilastietosuojaa

Potilastietosuojaa refers to the protection of patient data in Finland. It is a fundamental principle ensuring that a person's health information is handled securely and confidentially. This encompasses all data related to an individual's health, including medical history, diagnoses, treatments, and personal details necessary for their care.

The primary legislation governing potilastietosuojaa is the Act on the Electronic Processing of Patient Information (laki sähköisestä potilastiedon käsittelystä). This act establishes the rights and responsibilities of both patients and healthcare providers regarding the collection, storage, use, and disclosure of patient data. Patients have the right to access their own health records and to know who has accessed them and for what purpose. They also have the right to request corrections to inaccurate information.

Healthcare providers are obligated to implement robust technical and organizational measures to safeguard patient data against unauthorized access, loss, or destruction. This includes secure storage systems, access controls, and staff training on data protection principles. The use of patient data is generally limited to direct healthcare purposes, research, and statistical reporting, and is subject to strict regulations to ensure privacy is maintained.

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) plays a significant role in overseeing and promoting potilastietosuojaa, providing guidance and developing systems to support secure electronic health records. The overarching goal is to build trust between patients and the healthcare system by assuring them that their sensitive personal information is treated with the utmost care and respect.