Blockchain Use In Healthcare

Integrity and confidentiality of information are important in healthcare sectors. Many years back, there was security problem affecting the institution as their data stored were prone tampering. Introduction of blockchain technology has ensured security and storage of information without involving any third party. It is a technology that ensures that every transaction is digitally signed to ensure that it has integrity and authenticity. Data in a blockchain is stored in fixed structures that contain a header and the content. There are nodes within the blockchain implementation that executes algorithms to analyze and evaluate the history of the individual blockchain when there is a new entry of transaction. Majority of nodes normally concur when the signature and history is correct, allowing a new block of transactions to be accepted into the ledger. After it is accepted, a new block is added to the chain of transactions. However, if nodes don’t agree with the entry, it is denied and hence not added to the chain.

Healthcare industry has implemented the new technology to solve many integrity issues that were affecting many health sectors. The technology has provided higher security and privacy of the information which is created in a common database. Therefore, health providers and doctors can access the right information. Blockchain technology has been applied in various ways in the health industry to improve the services and the products offered to patients. The technology will have a positive influence on the management and performance of the sector. Although you possibly won't be seeing it at your major hospital until further adoption and acceptance occurs in the industry.

The new technology has been used in securing and managing medical data. The information related to a patient’s genetic and medical conditions is essential in examining the symptoms and administering the right treatment. Therefore, blockchain technology is used to improve electronic medical records to ensure that there are data security, data privacy, and data governance. In addition, it allows the record of patients to be accessed by the provider safely and faster to save time for treating other patients. Use of blockchains in hospitals will eliminate cases of confusion and life-threatening issues of records that have been distributed across by providers. For instance, a patient record can have wrong recorded information about the disease which can lead to incorrect treatment. Moreover, a person can have their blood group altered when storing their information such as indicating blood type A- instead of A+. The situations can risk the life of a patient. Blockchain ensures that all patients’ records and treatments are correct hence improving delivery care.

The technology has ensured that there is data security in hospitals. Blockchain technology improves security by having multiple checkpoints for sensitive data related to patients. It ensures that patients are able to their own health information. Therefore, it is easier for patients to accept or deny any sharing information or even changes to their data. As a result, there is greater consumer control and high level of privacy and security. According to the Proteus Breach Barometer report released, there were many records of patients that have already been breached. However, the technology has kept health data private and secure. In addition, blockchain will reduce wastage of time when a new specialist is looking for records of a patient. A new specialist will only be added to the chain and it is possible to access the information.

Use of blockchain in the hospital has promoted drug development and supply chain integrity. It has ensured the development of new drugs by making the results of a patient to be accessed more widely. The information will aid in preventing counterfeit of drugs in healthcare which has lead loss of billions across the world. In ensuring supply chain integrity, blockchain has ensured a correct check of every step of the supply chain at the product level. Healthcare organizations can monitor the cycles of supply-demand across the entire lifecycle. The technology ensures the authenticity of products by scanning the drugs and entering them into secure digital blocks. All genuine drugs will be verified by blockchain. Moreover, the technology will solve financial challenges faced by smaller operators along the supply chain by enabling fast and efficient transactions.

The technology is used in improving the management of billing and claims in hospitals. Cases of fraud have been experienced in hospitals during medical billing due to embezzlement activities such as reimbursements across the payer industry and improper billing. Introduction of the technology will aid in automatically authorizing and verifying the information, and eliminating multiple parties. As a result, there will be transparency and efficiency that will ensure faster claims processing, reduce money loss and lower the administration cost. Every payment process between the providers and payers will be easy and payers will save money incurred on a claim. Therefore, complexity will be high and also remove middle parties.

Patient outcomes and care will improve when patient results and results of the clinical test are centralized in the new technology. All the data generated and recorded in different systems for future treatment are available for processing in the blockchain. The easier of access of information enable health practitioners to carry out more research and innovation that will improve health services provided to patients. In addition, the exchange of data and patient consent stored by blockchain technology will change the means of providing health services by ensuring that the information of the patient is readily available. The data will pave new ways of treatment, better coordination of care and new delivery care models. Eventually, the precision of medicine and programs in blockchain will positively impact hospital industry.

All health care provider regardless of private or public should use the new technology to maintain the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of information in the hospital. Its effect will promote improved services to patients such offering right treatment and tests, correct drugs and securing their information. Application of the technology will guarantee gradual growth of hospital industry since it will eliminate all unnecessary costs and loss in its operation. Today, people look for quality services providers and hence hospitals using the new technology offer services and products to many patients.

 

References

Marr, B. (November 29, 2017). This Is Why Blockchains Will Transform Healthcare.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2017/11/29/this-is-why-blockchains-will-transform-healthcare/#6dea43411ebe.

Burgwinkel, D. (2017). Blockchain technology.

Siwicki, B. (November 15, 2017). Blockchain beyond EHRs: Transforming value-based payment, precision medicine, and patient-centric care. http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/blockchain-beyond-ehrs-transforming-value-based-payment-precision-medicine-patient-centric-care.

Krohn, R., Metcalf, D., & Salber, P. (2017). Connected Health: Improving Care, Safety, and Efficiency with Wearables and IoT Solution. Milton: CRC Press.

Dhillon, V., Metcalf, D., & Hooper, M. (2018). Blockchain enabled applications: Understand the blockchain ecosystem and how to make it work for you. United States: Apress.

Medicine, I. ., Health, B. G., & Committee, U. G. P. H. I. S. F. (2014). Countering the Problem of Falsified and Substandard Drugs. Washington: National Academies Press.

McKean, S. C., Ross, J. J., Dressler, D. D., & Scheurer, D. (2017). Principles and practice of hospital medicine

 

 

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