Break-Glass Conceptual Model for Distributed EHR management system based on Blockchain, IPFS and ABAC

Abstract

The recently proposed Blockchain-based healthcare system proposes an interesting vision for the level of data integrity and security. This research aims to propose a conceptual model of a break-glass conceptual for Blockchain-based healthcare systems. In case of emergency, it provides access to the whole patient’s medical records for healthcare professionals as quickly as possible regarding patients’ privacy and data security. The proposed conceptual model was designed based on blockchain technology, IPFS (InterPlanetary File System), and ABAC (Attribute-Based Access control) as a novel design in this domain. In current healthcare systems, regulatory and non-integrated offline data sources make it near impossible for timely access to patients’ EHRs and EMRs, even in case of emergencies for healthcare professionals. Our conceptual model could be a satisfactory alternative not only for patients but also for governing organizations to handle this situation clearly by regarding patients’ privacy. Additionally, it can work in an untrusted environment, and it doesn’t require bypassing the access control system to make the patients’ data available. In case of emergencies, healthcare professionals receive medical records access near just in time with regard to all the rights of security and privacy based on the attribute which were set by the patients in the past. This novel conceptual model has been designed by coupling Blockchain technology with IPFS, and the attribute base control system (ABAC).