Blockchain technology is having a profound effect on how business is conducted in a number of industries. Most people associate Blockchain with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or with payment processing, but the technology has much wider applications. In the most basic sense, Blockchain is an open ledger that can be accessed by users with appropriate credentials. The blocks in the chain include encrypted data. This data belongs to the specific block, as well as the one that comes before it. When the data in the block does not match the data in the previous block, the entire chain becomes invalidated. In other words, the chain is secure and immutable. This is what makes it so valuable. Blockchain can be customized to record and track virtually any sort of information, which is how it can be adapted to work within a wide range of industries. One of the industries poised to benefit significantly from Blockchain technology is healthcare. Three of the ways Blockchain is being applied in the healthcare industry are: 1. Electronic Health Records One of the biggest challenges in healthcare is sharing information between providers. When information is readily accessible, physicians can collaborate more effectively and avoid repeating tests, which saves patients money and time while providing care. Unfortunately, the various electronic health records (EHRs) used between different hospital systems do not regularly share information with each other. A barrier to sharing data is ensuring that the information remains secure. This is of paramount importance given the sensitive nature of healthcare information. Blockchain can be used to store a medical record securely: only those granted access would be able to use this information. Moving the data to a central place outside the EHR could help systems talk to each other more effectively. With a Blockchain-based approach to healthcare data, patients would own their information. People would control their data and be able to grant access to providers as they seek out care. Already, a number of leading medical institutions are piloting Blockchain in EHRs. For example, Mayo Clinic is working with the startup Medicalchain, and Massachusetts General Hospital has forged a partnership with MedicBloc. These partnerships will help these healthcare systems develop and pilot systems that could radically change health data management. Providers often spend a lot of time tracking down records across different health systems. Healthcare delivery could become much more efficient if patients granted direct access to this information in a secure manner. Drug Supply Chain A serious outbreak of meningitis that occurred in 2012 was traced back to a specific compounding pharmacy. Because of this issue, Congress passed legislation to improve tracking of drugs so that any issues discovered in the future can be more effectively addressed. The legislation requires both downstream and upstream information transmission about products used in the clinic. Each package and case of product is required to have a unique identifier so that information about the drug can be traced accurately and immediately. Currently, however, no one source has all the information about the chain of custody as products move from manufacturer to clinic. Blockchain can provide a centralized source of information as products move across the supply chain. The technology provides security of information that could help combat counterfeiting and other problems while also providing immediate access to all important pieces of information related to a product. If the ledger gets tampered with at any point along the supply chain, the product can be rejected as this could represent counterfeiting or other issues. Some vendors are already piloting Blockchain solutions that help accurately track the supply chain of drugs, such as Chronicled, which spearheaded the MediLedger Project. Staff Credentialing To maintain a high level of patient care, healthcare organizations must verify the credentials of medical staff. Many phone calls, letters, and faxes are sent to ensure that new hires are who they say they are. On the other hand, Blockchain innately verifies and updates incrementally. This means it can be used to reduce the time and expense associated with this process while fostering a safe clinical environment.
Various Blockchain encryption applications can be used to create a secured database that can be accessed by healthcare organizations to verify information immediately. Individuals can be granted access to an entire ledger or just a portion depending on the nature of the inquiry. The Hashed Health Consortium launched a pilot program in 2017 related to this issue. The program created a registry based in Blockchain technology that provided a reliable record of various certifications and credentials held by participants. The following year, the consortium created a provider credentialing product based in Blockchain technology that securely relays information about a clinician’s particular permissions when it comes to scope of practice. This sort of program could become more widespread in years to come, especially with the coronavirus pandemic putting more pressure on institutions to expand their house staff. Comments are closed.
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