Description:
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.