Title: A patient privacy centric access control model for EHR systems

Authors: Mario Sicuranza; Angelo Esposito; Mario Ciampi

Addresses: Institute for High Performance Computing and Networking (ICAR), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via Pietro Castellino, 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy ' Institute for High Performance Computing and Networking (ICAR), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via Pietro Castellino, 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy ' Institute for High Performance Computing and Networking (ICAR), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via Pietro Castellino, 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy

Abstract: The EHR systems consist of very sensitive data originated by the interaction of the patients with the healthcare system. In order to control who can do what on the data in the system, it is necessary to use a security mechanism that is the access control (AC). In this paper, an innovative AC model is defined. It meets the main features that have to be satisfied by an EHR. Our proposal is an advanced access control model that combines access control models known in the literature. It adds the characteristics of modularity and easiness in the management of access policies, focusing attention on patient's privacy and consent (patient privacy centric). The proposed model presents the following characteristics: attribute-based, multi-level, modular and with a dynamic and temporal management of the users' lists. Besides, we have defined support functionalities that allow patients, organisations and physicians to take advantage of the AC potential.

Keywords: access control; patient privacy; electronic health records; EHRs; patient consent; patient centric systems; MVC; model view controller; healthcare systems; healthcare technology; EHR security.

DOI: 10.1504/IJITST.2014.064515

International Journal of Internet Technology and Secured Transactions, 2014 Vol.5 No.2, pp.163 - 189

Received: 13 Feb 2014
Accepted: 26 Jun 2014
Published online: 10 Sep 2014 *

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