From the desk of Joseph A. Rossi...
Abstract
Blockchain is a core technology dramatically improving healthcare processes, systems and operations. Blockchain transfers and stores vast patient data across hospitals, pharmacies, diagnostic laboratories and medical professionals. The decentralized and immutable nature of blockchain not only offers exceptional safety and security but also greatly improves healthcare processes. Additionally, it enhances the efficiency and transparency of sharing medical data across the healthcare industry. This technology is exceptionally suited for addressing fragmented, siloed information and processes distributed in multiple locations. In this article, I will explore the advantages, capabilities and enabling factors provided by blockchain in healthcare. By understanding the potential of blockchain technology, you will gain insight into creating a more secure, efficient and patient-centric system, ultimately improving the overall patient experience.
Blockchain Technology Today
“Blockchain technology enables our systems and smart devices to communicate more effectively and rapidly,” says Melanie Swan a futurist and author known for her work on blockchain, highlighting the technology’s impact on improving connectivity in the healthcare industry. Evolving towards a patient-centered approach focusing on easy accessibility, responsiveness and security, blockchain fulfills a critical role enhancing all aspects of healthcare services.
Access to Data
Blockchain makes it easier for organizations to work together by providing a transparent, tamper-proof platform for information sharing. This makes it possible for authorized users to obtain accurate and current patient records, eliminating duplication and tedious sharing procedures via seamless networking between healthcare providers and other stakeholders. Also, it ensures better coordination and easier data updating and sharing.
Ensuring Data Integrity
Blockchain creates time-stamped and immutable records. These records are then stored across a vast network of system nodes, making it practically impossible to tamper with the data. Besides, this distributed ledger system creates a trusted network that ensures data reliability and security. As the number of connected devices increases, it becomes more difficult to guarantee security and validity of data. Blockchain provides a way to guarantee data security through encryption.
Data Sharing and Interoperability
We know that interoperability is a major challenge in healthcare Blockchain provides two key features that serve as a secure foundation for data sharing in healthcare:
- Smart Contracts: Programs that automate an action and run on a public ledger. The transactions are transparent and visible to all users on the network but cannot be altered or deleted.
- Permissioned Blockchains: Programs that run on a private distributed ledger where access is provided only to authorized users who control the privacy and security of their activities.
The decentralized ledger feature of blockchain is often preferred because it ensures that only authorized users can access patient data. It eliminates the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access, better protecting patient privacy and confidentiality.
Securing Patient Data and Transparency
The immutable nature of blockchain reduces the risk of errors and fraud by making sure that Electronic Health Record (EHR) data integrity is maintained. Blockchain not only secures EHR data but also protects large genomic datasets accessed by scientists and medical professionals for genetic research. The healthcare data is recorded, allowing the timestamping feature of blockchain to track changes to it, providing a full-proof audit trail that cannot be altered or deleted. Additionally, the technology allows the patient to have complete control over the data enabling them to securely share it with physicians they authorize. It further secures a patient’s medical history with encryption and access controls, compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Personalized Healthcare
Personalized treatment makes use of blockchain and can incorporate a patient’s genetic composition, lifestyle choices, surroundings, and preferences. This helps improve medical treatments and captures personalized healthcare aspects such as genomics, pharmaceuticals and digital health technologies. The advances in these areas have developed personal medicines and therapies that can now be customized to target particular genetic abnormalities or biomarkers.
Unified Networking and Real-time Access
Blockchain makes it easier for healthcare organizations to collaborate with worldwide ‘data standardization’ by offering a transparent, tamper-proof transfer of data between platforms, applications and users. Blockchain ledger grants the permission to access exchange of data where diverse data sets are analyzed without human intervention. This means more precise and current patient records, better patient outcomes and more informed decisions. Examples of unified networking connecting data, people, devices and systems include:
- Clinical research organizations (CRO) carry out clinical trials with data.
- Insurance companies using it to prevent fraud and adjudicate claims.
- Research and pharmaceutical institutions can be granted access to data, enabling analysis of use cases for advancement of research and development.
Efficient Record Keeping
Blockchain provides access to a patient’s medical history for retrospective review with secure encryption and access controls. It eliminates the need for data to be stored in multiple silos and for patients to physically carry their information. The ledger maintains confidentiality and aggregates data for research by seamlessly integrating it with existing healthcare systems. Additionally, it collates all the information of the patient in one place providing access to patient history, sharing health information, managing insurance and carrying out administrative tasks, ensuring seamless and automated workflows.
Clinical Trials
Moreover, blockchain is ideal for clinical studies requiring quick and secure access to patient data and location. This feature makes it a strong long-term solution, addressing the issues of false results and data segmentation that do not align or conflict with the research objectives.
Summary
Overall, blockchain is transforming healthcare by enhancing data security, improving transparency, and enabling more efficient health record management. This evolution leads to better patient outcomes and a more effective overall system. As more healthcare organizations adopt blockchain, we expect significant advancements in patient care, data management and healthcare efficiency.
For the latest information and updates on healthcare, you can reach out to us at ROSEAId . We provide valuable resources and insights into the latest trends and developments in the healthcare industry.
Warm regards,
Joe
Reference:
https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/contributed-blockchain-healthcare-and-enhancing-security-and-transparency, https://www.digitalauthority.me/resources/blockchain-in-healthcare/ https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/an-augmented-reality-based-personalized-healthcare-management-system-using-blockchain-technology/345885 https://medium.com/unificationfoundation/why-unified-data-is-inevitable-part-1-the-current-state-of-data-8ad5dc7a30e7, https://blockchainhealthcaretoday.com/index.php/journal/article/view/3
* If you have any further questions or want more information about how ROSEAId, Inc could benefit your organization. Please do not hesitate to book an appointment with us. Contact us at info@roseaid.com, 5868 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77507.