Cryptographic Approach to Patient Records Privacy Protection in Emergency Situations

Abstract

This paper presents cryptographic mechanisms for securing electronic medical patient records, EPRs in emergency situations. The mechanism maintains the EPR confidentiality during an emergency when a patient is unconscious and located outside any health provider, HP. In such situations any authorized health care practitioner, HCP can access all relevant medical records when needed. However, after such an emergency, it is impossible for anyone to access the patient’s EPR without the patient’s consent. This can be achieved by using a modified forward-secure signature and encryption algorithm used in two directions. After an emergency treatment, the patient’s consent is restored.