Encrypted Medical Identifier Access to EHRs During Emergency Calls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for accessing electronic health records (EHR) during emergencies are complex and time-consuming, often requiring network operator involvement, which can compromise privacy and security, and do not efficiently provide critical medical information to first responders.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses an encrypted medical identifier stored on a mobile device, accessible only by emergency entities, which is included in emergency calls to securely forward EHR data to responders, utilizing secure processors and encryption methods to ensure privacy and rapid access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If electronic health records are accessed during emergencies using existing systems, then medical information can be retrieved, but the process is complex and time-consuming requiring network operator involvement
Solution Approach 1:
The encrypted medical identifier is pre-stored in the mobile device's secure element before emergencies occur. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time authentication processes, allowing immediate access to EHR data by simply presenting the pre-stored identifier during emergencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The critical authentication element (encrypted medical identifier) is extracted from the complex network operator system and placed directly into the mobile device. This extraction simplifies the emergency access process by removing the need for network operator involvement while maintaining security through the use of encrypted identifiers.
2Reliability
If network operators are involved in accessing EHR data, then authentication can be performed, but privacy and security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
An encrypted medical identifier acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and the EHR system. This intermediary contains all necessary authentication information in encrypted form, eliminating the need for network operators to handle sensitive personal data while maintaining authentication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication credentials are copied into an encrypted format and stored in the mobile device's secure element. This copying process creates a self-contained authentication mechanism that does not require continuous connection to or involvement of network operators, thereby reducing privacy and security risks.
3Productivity
If medical information is quickly provided to responders, then emergency response efficiency improves, but security and privacy controls may be weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The encrypted medical identifier is prepared and stored in advance in the mobile device, enabling immediate presentation to the EHR system during emergencies. This preliminary preparation maintains strong security controls while eliminating delays in the emergency response process.
Solution Approach 2:
The medical identifier is transformed into an encrypted format that contains all necessary authentication parameters. This parameter transformation allows the system to maintain robust security and privacy controls while enabling rapid access to medical information, as the encrypted identifier can be processed quickly without compromising security.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device (110) and an emergency entity (120) in a mobile network (130) accommodate emergency calls. The network is coupled to a medical database (140) comprising respective electronic health records (EHR) regarding respective persons. The mobile device is arranged to obtain the encrypted medical identifier of a user of the device; and, upon establishing that the user may be a victim of the emergency, to include the encrypted medical identifier in the emergency message during an emergency call. The emergency entity is arranged to retrieve the encrypted medical identifier from the emergency message, and to access the medical database to retrieve at least one electronic health record based on the encrypted medical identifier for enabling forwarding of information from the electronic health record to responders to an emergency.