SOAP-note patient data removal strips identifiers from the four parts of a note: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. It meets UK GDPR Art. 9 and DPA 2018. anonym.plus runs locally, with extra care for the Subjective part where direct quotes hide identifiers.
When this applies
SOAP notes are the spine of clinic care and a favourite for teaching. The Subjective part often quotes the individual by name or names family and work, so careful removal counts.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Open the note in anonym.plus on your device.
- Each part is scanned; patient quotes get extra care.
- Names, dates, places, and contacts get flagged in all four parts.
- Swap them so the four parts still read clearly.
- Save the clean note on your device.
What you need to provide
- The note (TXT, DOCX, PDF, or pasted text).
- An operator (Replace keeps the part layout clear).
- Optional allow-list for standard exam terms.
Patient data entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Names | PERSON | S: ‘I am Omar’ → [PATIENT] |
| Relatives | PERSON | wife Dina → [RELATIVE] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | 06/04 → [DATE] |
| Location | LOCATION | works at Bosch → [EMPLOYER] |
| Record IDs | MEDICAL_RECORD_NUMBER | chart 7741 → [MRN] |
| Contact | EMAIL_ADDRESS | o.k@example.com → [EMAIL] |
Compliance achieved
- Supports UK GDPR Art. 9 & DPA 2018 in all four parts.
- Catches employer and relative clues as indirect identifiers.
- Local-only work — nothing uploaded.
Anonymise SOAP notes offline — see plans & start free →
Limitations & cautions
The Subjective part holds the most risk. Patients name jobs, hobbies, and family in ways that can re-identify with no name at all. Review that part closely. Named-item checks cannot always judge when a life clue is unique.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the Subjective part need extra care?
It records the person’s own words. These often include names, employers, and unique personal clues that act as indirect identifiers beyond the obvious ones.
Does patient data removal keep the SOAP layout?
Yes. The four parts stay clear and readable. Only the identifiers inside them change.
Can I clean SOAP notes pasted from an EPR?
Yes. Paste text straight in or load a file. Both run locally.