Blockchain technology has received a lot of attention because of its
potential to improve data security and integrity in all sectors.
Blockchain makes information safe and only accessible to authorized
users through a decentralized, tamperproof ledger. As it pertains to
healthcare, where the information of patients is very private and
should be kept at all times, this feature is very desirable. However,
the upsides of blockchain aren’t limited to security; they open up the
possibility of revolutionizing the operation of healthcare workflows,
thus solving some of the most immediate problems in the industry.
Healthcare providers are looking for new approaches to streamline
their operations, and blockchain is a solution that can streamline
workflows and improve communication. With a clean, interoperable
platform for data exchange, blockchain could also reduce data silos
that typically exist between healthcare providers to communicate
better. This will enable the automatic exchange of patient data,
resulting in better-coordinated care and better patient care. Also, by
automating everyday activities with smart contracts, blockchain will
remove administrative work from clinicians and allow them to attend to
patient care instead of documents.
The aim of this blog is to provide insights into the many-sided
possibilities of blockchain in healthcare beyond its security. We will
explore how this technology can be used to optimize the workflow of
healthcare software applications for problems such as
interoperability, data storage, and a lack of efficiency in
administrative work. With case studies and implementations, we will be
able to give healthcare stakeholders a better understanding of how
blockchain can bring value-added innovations to their businesses and
patient care.
Blockchain is a new digital ledger system where data can be held
securely in an encrypted network of computers. At its most
fundamental, blockchain consists of blocks, which are units of
information about transactions. Each block is connected to the one
before it in a sort of chronological data trail, a blockchain. The
structure of this ensures that after a block is added to the chain, it
cannot be modified without affecting all the other blocks in the
chain, so the data can’t be corrupted. Moreover, blockchain is
distributed and no single entity has access to the entire network,
which is safer and minimizes the possibility of manipulation of data.
Simply put, blockchain stores transactions and publishes the
information in a transparent fashion that everyone can see in the
network but secures it with private data. When there is a transaction,
it’s placed in a block with the rest of the transactions. This block
is then confirmed by consensus, and network nodes (as the participants
in the network) validate the transaction against predetermined rules.
The verified block will be registered on the existing blockchain, and
everyone will receive a new ledger version. The way it does this is
transparent and trustful, where everyone can safely share information
without a central power or middleman.
There are several kinds of blockchain, each has different functions
and is used in different medical uses. Blockchains like public
Bitcoin, so you can contribute to the blockchain any time. They are
the most open, but they’re not used in medicine due to privacy issues.
Private blockchains are for the more restricted community of users who
can have more access and control of the data. This one is mainly used
for internal medicine. Consortium blockchains — Consortium blockchains
are in between as multiple companies co-own the blockchain, reaping
the benefits of decentralization and control. Each kind of blockchain
can be specifically tailored to the medical use cases, from
record-keeping for patients and sharing research data to improving
supply chain management.
Health system processes are full of different inefficiencies that make
it hard to provide the best possible patient care and efficiency. The
main problem is data silos — patients’ data sit in disparate systems
that are disconnected from one another. This siloed nature makes it
very difficult for physicians to see fully updated patient records,
which delays diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, there are still a
lot of manual processes in many healthcare organizations for data
entry, billing, and documenting. These manual processes not only eat
up precious time but can also be dangerously associated with human
error, which can have grave consequences for patient safety and care
quality.
There is no exaggerating the impact of these difficulties on patient
care and efficiency. Slow workflows result in longer patient wait
times, slower treatment, and greater medical errors. Healthcare
providers have to endure this headache of disentangling systems that
take time and energy away from treating patients. Furthermore, if the
interoperability of the systems isn’t there, then it can become hard
to share valuable information, decreasing continuity of care.
Healthcare professionals can't get the data they need, so they cannot
make the right decisions based on that data, which can directly impact
patient experience and satisfaction.
Pain points in healthcare processes are just some of the problems.
Patient data is inefficient, for instance, because the clinician would
need to search a lot on several systems rather than interact with
patients. Claims processing is no different, with unresolved
discrepancies between the patient record and billing leading to denied
claims and rescheduled reimbursements. These inefficiencies aren’t
only frustrating to clinicians but also burdensome for patients who
want timely, high-quality care. These workflow challenges need to be
solved if we want to optimize the patient experience and allow
patients and providers to operate more effectively.
Blockchain provides data interoperability for healthcare providers as well as seamless exchange of patient data between systems and institutions. Conventional healthcare data exchanges are typically broken, unsupported, and lack standard processes that keep information out of the hands of people in a hurry. But with blockchain’s distributed ledger, authorised parties can tap into the same source of truth, so that everyone has real-time access to accurate patient data. For instance, companies such as MedRec have already successfully developed blockchain solutions to securely and transparently share patients’ medical records with different providers. It is not only more efficient to share data but also helps to collaborate between physicians resulting in more integrated and optimized patient care. In addition, blockchain is highly secure and enables sensitive data access as required — resulting in higher quality of patient care.
Smart contracts, which are autonomic contracts in which the contract language is embedded directly into code, could automate many healthcare processes and streamline those clogged with human oversight. Healthcare organizations can outsource claim administration and patient consent administration to smart contracts to minimise human errors and expedite workflows. – For example, an automated insurance claim can be processed automatically after a provider enters the required treatment information so that we are reimbursed in real time, without the time lag caused by manually checking claims. Moreover, in patient consent management, smart contracts can be used to keep consent forms safe and easily re-verifiable, so providers can pull approvals at a moment’s notice. This automation not only saves time and money, but it also makes healthcare transactions more transparent and accountable, for patients and clinicians.
Blockchain technology enables patients to have more control over their health information and can enable patient data management and continuity of care. Patients can keep their medical records safe with blockchain and choose who sees/shares what. This capability ensures that patients are not only well-informed participants in their care processes but also can expect to offer their healthcare providers the most up-to-date information possible. The patient, for example, could enter a change of health status or new medications on their blockchain-based record, which then would be available to all approved providers immediately. The outcome is a better, more complete picture of the patient’s medical history, making clinical decisions more confidently and supporting continuity of care. Moreover, it minimizes the likelihood of medical records mismatches, so doctors can provide safer and better care for each individual patient’s condition.
Blockchain can be added to existing healthcare IT environments and there are several challenges for organizations to overcome in order to successfully implement. Another issue is a compatibility issue between blockchain and old systems that many healthcare providers still use. Such legacy systems can be either not flexible or interoperable with blockchain solutions – leading to data silos and business interruptions. These issues can be resolved with a gradual integration approach for healthcare companies, through pilot projects, in which blockchain applications can be tested and perfected in specific verticals prior to mass rollout. Aside from that, you can invest in middleware solutions that can let blockchain platforms talk to other systems so that data flows between the two. The earlier you involve stakeholders, gaining feedback and resolving issues, the more likely it will be an integrated journey.
When using blockchain technology in healthcare, there is a complex regulatory world that must be handled by an organization to adhere to legal and regulatory requirements. Important guidelines like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the US and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe make strict guidelines about the security and use of patient data. Organizations must make sure their blockchain solution complies with these regulations through the use of protections for patient privacy and data security, such as encryption and access control. Also, organizations must have clear data governance policies governing the way data is collected, stored, and transmitted on the blockchain so that it is in compliance with regulations. With the support of legal and compliance consultants during the planning and execution process, such obstacles can be addressed with little risk of regulatory infringement and fines for companies.
Successful blockchain deployments in healthcare depend on the cooperation between stakeholders, such as medical providers, tech vendors, payers, and regulatory authorities. Establishing a consortium of players can also create a trust and collaboration environment that can help solve the issues associated with blockchain adoption. Industry standards and best practices can be created by collaborating to enable interoperability and data sharing between different organizations. Furthermore, alliances and partnerships can help healthcare organizations pool resources, collaborate on best practices, and benefit from each other’s experience in order to accelerate implementation. Reach out to all stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Organizations can make sure that all voices are heard and that more comprehensive and successful blockchain solutions are built to serve the whole healthcare ecosystem.
Blockchain will likely be an emerging technology as healthcare
delivery and management are redefined in an ever-increasing number.
Future healthcare blockchain predictions anticipate an expanding use
case of the blockchain, from data security to clinical trials and
supply chains. When healthcare institutions realize the importance of
permanent data and a constant flow of data, blockchain will be an
everyday element of health IT systems. Not only will this enable more
efficient operations, but it will lead to more trust and participation
by patients, as they’ll become aware of how their data is collected
and secured in distributed environments.
AI, IoT, and Machine Learning: New technologies will transform
blockchain in healthcare. For example, AI can look through big data on
a blockchain and generate insight into patient care and operational
efficiency. IoT equipment can also supply real-time insights to
blockchain networks to ensure the monitoring of patient's health on a
real-time basis and the proactive management of care. Combining these
technologies will result in a more resilient system in which data is
both secure and intelligently processed and evaluated, which can
result in personalized medicine, remote patient tracking, and more
effective resource allocation.
While blockchain technologies have great potential, scaling, and
general adoption are still issues healthcare institutions must solve.
When even more healthcare organizations will consider blockchain
technology integration, issues around transaction speeds, power, and
handling huge amounts of data will need to be addressed. This could
continue to develop more scalable blockchain platforms or hybrid
systems that combine public and private blockchains for the highest
possible performance, security, and compliance. Moreover, as
regulatory systems become clearer, they will allow more organizations
to invest in blockchain technology more easily. Ultimately, it will
take a village to solve these problems and realize the full potential
of blockchain in healthcare.
Blockchain technology will revolutionize the workflow in healthcare, eliminate inefficiencies, facilitate data connectivity, and drive automation using smart contracts. Beyond the popular security benefits, blockchain can also enable data sharing between healthcare providers, simplify administrative work, and allow patients to manage their own health information. With blockchain solutions being researched and deployed throughout the industry, cooperation between players, compliance with regulatory requirements, and an emphasis on scalability will all be essential to take advantage of the new technology. By incorporating blockchain, healthcare institutions can not only optimize the way they do their job but also increase the quality of care that is delivered to patients for a better, connected, and efficient health system.
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