SEMR: A Framework for Sharing Electronic Medical Records Using Emerging Technologies

Abstract

Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) play a crucial role in healthcare systems, providing secure, comprehensive medical information and reducing errors. However, they are often fragmented and stored in separate databases owned by different institutions (e.g., hospitals, labs, clinics), posing challenges for healthcare professionals in sharing, preserving, and monitoring patients’ EMRs. To address the aforementioned challenges, this paper proposes a framework integrating many new emerging technologies and underscores their pivotal role in revolutionizing EMR systems. In particular, Hyperledger Indy empowers patients with complete authority over their EMRs, while Hyperledger Fabric manages authentication, authorization, and traceability. The InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is used for secure sharing of EMRs. The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) achieves real-time monitoring of patients’ health characteristics. Finally, WebAuthn provides strong protection for used cryptographic keys and cryptographic operations.