Decentralized System for Medical Records Control Using Blockchain
In the current landscape of health data management, an innovative proposal emerges that returns informational sovereignty to patients through blockchain technology. This decentralized model completely redefines how electronic medical records are stored, shared, and authorized 🏥.
Decentralized Management Architecture
The core of the system is based on an intelligent separation of responsibilities. Clinical records in FHIR format remain encrypted in specialized external storage, while the blockchain is exclusively reserved for storing cryptographic hashes and temporary access permissions. Each authorization is digitally signed by patients using the EIP-712 standard, establishing precise time windows for the use of their data 🔐.
Key system components:- Encrypted external storage for complete FHIR data
- Blockchain as an immutable ledger of permissions and verifications
- EIP-712 digital signatures that irrevocably authenticate the owner
The current paradox: while algorithms predict online purchases with terrifying accuracy, medical records still travel in paper envelopes between consultations.
Cryptographic Mechanisms and Security
End-to-end confidentiality is guaranteed through advanced public-key wrapping techniques, where storage providers act as honest-but-curious entities without real decryption capability. The system formalizes four fundamental objectives: absolute data protection, verifiable record integrity, cryptographically attributable authorization, and complete auditing of all permission transactions 📊.
Implemented security features:- One contract per patient model in Solidity to eliminate shared risks
- Clear separation between data storage and permission management
- Automatic revocation of accesses after temporary expiration
Practical Implementation and Metrics
In a real operational environment, granting a permission consumes approximately 78,000 gas on L1, while accessing 1 MB records shows latencies between 0.7 and 1.4 seconds depending on whether they are retrieved from S3 or IPFS. Layer 2 implementation reduces costs by 10 to 13 times, although data availability fees continue to be the dominant component. The architecture rigorously complies with HIPAA and GDPR through granular control, enabling scenarios such as authorizing a specific hospital to view only certain reports for exactly 48 hours ⚖️.
Impact on Medical Practice
This approach represents a paradigmatic shift in medical records management, transforming patients from passive subjects to active administrators of their health information. The combination of blockchain immutability with advanced encryption and temporary permissions creates an ecosystem where privacy and clinical utility coexist harmoniously, finally resolving the technological disconnect that has affected the health sector for decades 💡.