USES OF BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY IN HEALTHCARE



USES OF BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY IN HEALTHCARE



WHAT IS BLOCKCHAIN?

Blockchain is a distributed system for recording and storing transaction records. More specifically, blockchain is a shared, immutable record of peer-to-peer transactions built from linked transaction blocks and stored in a digital ledger.



Three main components:



a. Distributed Network

Blockchain is a decentralized P2P architecture with nodes consisting of network participants. Each member in the network stores an identical copy of the blockchain and contributes to the collective process of validating and certifying digital transactions for the network.



b. Shared Ledger

Members in the distributed network record digital transactions into a shared ledger. Changes to the shared ledger are reflected in all copies of the blockchain in minutes or, in some cases, seconds. After a transaction is added it is

immutable and cannot be changed or removed.



c. Digital Transactions

Any type of information or digital asset can be stored in a blockchain, and the network implementing the blockchain defines the type of information contained in the transaction. Transactions are structured into blocks and each block contains a cryptographic hash to the prior block in the blockchain. Blocks are added in a linear, chronological order.



Blockchain Model For Health Care:



a. Scalability

Health data is dynamic and expansive, replicating all heath records to every member in the network would be bandwidth intensive, wasteful on network resources and pose data throughput concerns.



b. Access Security and Data Privacy

The user would have full access to his data and control over how his data would be shared. The user would assign a set of access permissions and designate who can query and write data to his blockchain. The user would also be able to view an audit log of who accessed his blockchain, including when and what data was accessed. The same dashboard would allow the user to give and revoke access permissions to any individual who has a unique identifier.



c.      Smooth health data exchange and interoperability

Blockchain technology could enable the health data exchange systems that are irrevocable and cryptographically secured. And this would ultimately enable seamless access to real-time patient health data and eliminate the cost and burden of data reconciliation.



d.     Drug Supply Chain Source and Integrity

Blockchain based system could make sure a chain-of-custody log, tracking every step of supply chain at individual product level. Furthermore, private keys and smart contracts can help to build proof of ownership of drug source at any point in the supply chain.



e.      Transparent Billing Management

Blockchain applications and systems provide realistic solutions to minimize the frauds. By automating the bill processing activities, Blockchain Technology could help to remove the need for intermediaries and decrease the administrative costs.



f.       Technical Advantages of Blockchain in Healthcare

Blockchain Technology is based on open-source software, commodity hardware, and open API. the Blockchain architecture has in-built fault tolerance, data encryption, and cryptography technologies which as widely used and accepted as industry standards.



g.     Advantages in Clinical data sharing

Advance directives, genetic studies, allergies, problem lists, imaging studies, and pathology reports are just some of the data elements that could be distributed. blockchain could be used to store access controls — like who a patient has authorized to see their health data.


Dr. C.M. Manawadu
BMI Batch 9

References:


ü https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/public-sector/us-blockchain-opportunities-for-health-care.pdf


ü https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2017/11/29/this-is-why-blockchains-will-transform-healthcare/#7f6cbdc91ebe

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