Pseudonymization of patient identifiers for translational research

The invention presents a new method for pseudonymizing e.g. patient identifiers in which the pseudonymmization service provider is unable to derive the patient identifier from the pseudonym, but rather this ability is assigned to an authorized third party (Ombudsman). This is achieved by asymmetric and symmetric encryption algorithms and key derivation functions in combination with a new algorithm to pseudonymize a patient identifier. The asymmetric and symmetric encryption algorithms used in the pseudonymization software are approved by the technical directive TR-03116 for eCard-Projects of the German Federal Government. The method/software can be used for pseudonymmization of any sensitive data if they are processed by third-party institutions e.g. patient samples for translational research or bank account data.

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DKFZ (German Cancer Research Center, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum)
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Dr. Ruth Herzog

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