Electronics and eHealth Innovations Transform Healthcare
25 Sep 2023
With the widespread implementation of electronic health record systems in the modern era, the healthcare industry is through a period of fast transformation. These technologies, although offering many benefits, also present a substantial number of obstacles, particularly concerning issues over security and privacy.
Blockchain, the underlying technology that enables cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to function, provides a method of data management that is both distributed and decentralized.
It offers a ledger that is open to inspection, impossible to alter, and immutable, and it keeps information in a chain of blocks connected via cryptographic hashes.
Given these characteristics, Blockchain is an attractive option for protecting electronic health record systems (EHR).
The application of blockchain technology in healthcare has recently shown promise as a potential solution for these problems. This article addresses the applications of blockchain technology in ensuring the safety and confidentiality of electronic health record systems.
The article focuses on the following key areas:
We will explore the various ways blockchain technology can be utilized to solve these problems and change the healthcare industry. In this article, we will explore the various applications of blockchain technology in detail.
The vast majority of sensitive patient data, including medical histories, diagnoses, prescriptions, and test results, is stored within Electronic Health Record systems. It is of the utmost importance to safeguard patients from any potential harm, including identity theft and illegal access, by maintaining the confidentiality and security of this information.
Traditional centralized databases have a single point of failure in keeping patients’ privacy, making them susceptible to cyberattacks and data leaks. Decentralized databases do not have this single point of failure.
Permissioned blockchains are particularly helpful in the healthcare industry, which requires strict control over who can access which data.
These blockchains restrict access to only the entities that have been permitted to do so, ensuring that sensitive information is only discussed with the appropriate parties, such as patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies. This strategy helps prevent unauthorized access to data and improves data security overall.
The capabilities of identity management offered by Blockchain play a critical part in electronic health record systems.
Every member of the blockchain network holds a one-of-a-kind cryptographic key. This key validates the user’s identity and determines which data they are authorized to view.
As a result, there is no longer a requirement for a centralized identity repository, and the hazards of identity fraud have been reduced.
In addition, Blockchain makes it possible for various healthcare providers to exchange data and seamlessly communicate with one another, making it possible to examine all of a patient’s information while protecting their confidentiality.
In medicine, maintaining the integrity of one’s data is absolutely necessary because unapproved alterations to a patient’s file might have devastating effects.
The immutability of Blockchain ensures that once data has been stored on the chain, it cannot be changed or removed in any way. This function ensures the medical records are accurate by producing a comprehensive audit trail of all transactions and edits to the patient’s personal information.
Since it is decentralized, Blockchain is naturally resistant to cyberattacks and data breaches. The data in a blockchain is distributed among numerous nodes, making it exceedingly difficult for hackers to modify or delete information.
This contrasts traditional databases, where a single security failure can compromise the entire system. Because of this resilience, the risk of data breaches is greatly reduced, protecting patients’ sensitive data.
Patients can get more control over their health data through the use of blockchain technology. Patients can give their explicit authorization for data access and manage who can view and use their information through smart contracts.
Patients now have the ability to share their medical information with researchers, experts, or other organizations while still maintaining ownership and control over their health records because of this innovation.
The healthcare industry is subject to severe rules and compliance standards, such as those outlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
By offering a secure framework for storing data, access control, and audibility, blockchain technology can assist healthcare organizations in their efforts to attain regulatory Compliance.
Audits of Compliance can be made easier and more efficient, which will both lessen the responsibilities of administrative work and ensure that regulatory Compliance is followed.
There is a growing worry about the safety and privacy of EHR systems as the healthcare industry moves toward digital transformation. Compliance with regulations, permissioned blockchains, identity management, interoperability, cryptography, data integrity, data breach prevention, and patient empowerment are just some of the ways in which blockchain technology might help.
EHR security, privacy, and data management can all be improved by implementing blockchain technology in healthcare. There is much hope that Blockchain’s continued development will revolutionize the healthcare business and lead to better patient outcomes.
