Disclaimer

1. Educational Purpose

SOSPOSA (South African Society of Procedural Sedation & Analgesia) provides guidelines, courses, and educational materials to assist healthcare professionals in understanding and practising procedural sedation and analgesia. All content is intended for educational purposes only and should be used as a supplement to, not a replacement for, formal medical training and institutional policies.

2. Not Medical Advice

The information on this website and in our courses does not constitute medical, clinical, or professional advice. The guidelines and recommendations provided are general in nature and may not be appropriate for every patient or clinical situation. Healthcare professionals must exercise their own clinical judgment when applying any information obtained from SOSPOSA resources.

3. Clinical Responsibility

The practitioner is solely responsible for:

• Assessing each patient's individual needs and suitability for sedation
• Obtaining appropriate informed consent
• Ensuring adequate training, equipment, and support staff
• Following institutional protocols and regulatory requirements
• Managing complications and emergencies
• Maintaining appropriate documentation

4. SOSPOSA Guidelines

SOSPOSA sedation guidelines are developed based on current evidence and expert consensus at the time of publication. They are intended to assist practitioners in delivering safe sedation but do not define or establish a standard of care. Guidelines are updated periodically, and practitioners should ensure they are using the most current version.

5. Self-Appraisal Certification

The SOSPOSA Self-Appraisal certification is a voluntary self-assessment programme. Certification indicates that the practitioner has self-assessed against SOSPOSA criteria at the time of assessment. It does not:

• Guarantee clinical competence or patient outcomes
• Constitute a license or accreditation to practise
• Replace HPCSA registration or other regulatory requirements
• Provide immunity from liability

SOSPOSA does not verify the accuracy of self-reported information and relies on the honesty and integrity of practitioners completing the assessment.

6. Find a Sedation Practitioner Directory

The practitioners listed in our public directory are SOSPOSA members who have consented to be listed. Inclusion in the directory does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of the practitioner's skills, qualifications, or suitability. Patients and referrers should conduct their own due diligence when selecting a practitioner.

7. CPD Points and Certificates

CPD points awarded by SOSPOSA are based on HPCSA guidelines at the time of accreditation. It is the practitioner's responsibility to verify that courses meet their specific CPD requirements. Certificates of completion indicate participation; they do not guarantee competence or skill acquisition.

8. External Links

Our website may contain links to external websites. SOSPOSA is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or availability of these external sites. Links are provided for convenience and do not imply endorsement.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by South African law, SOSPOSA, its directors, officers, employees, and representatives shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from:

• Use of or reliance on information provided on this website or in our courses
• Clinical decisions made based on SOSPOSA guidelines or materials
• Patient outcomes related to sedation procedures
• Any errors or omissions in our content
• Service interruptions or technical issues

10. Indemnification

By using SOSPOSA services, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless SOSPOSA and its representatives from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses arising from your use of our services or your clinical practice.

11. Governing Law

This disclaimer shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.