Toward Application of Blockchain for Improved Health Records Management and Patient Care

Gracie Carter ,
Gracie Carter
Denise White ,
Denise White
Anusha Nalla ,
Anusha Nalla
Hossain Shahriar ,
Hossain Shahriar
Sweta Sneha
Sweta Sneha

Published: 04.01.2019.

Biochemistry

Volume 2, Issue 1 (2019)

https://doi.org/10.30953/bhty.v2.37

Abstract

Technological advancements have proven to be indispensable for improving patient care, yet they continue to present a host of problems. One of the most pressing concerns is how to improve quality of care while controlling costs. Beyond clinical care, one plausible solution is to share patient information freely and efficiently. Hospitals and clinics may share data internally, but external information sharing remains an issue. Despite the digitization of medical records, there remains a lack of adequate computing infrastructure or unwillingness to share data among providers. Care quality often suffers as a result. Implementing a type of peer-to-peer distributed digital technology, known as a blockchain, to record and transmit transactional data could be a solution to these concerns. Originally, blockchain was developed to record cryptocurrency transactions. However, as blockchain technologies have matured and adopted across dissimilar industries, the feasibility of possible applications of blockchain technology in healthcare is getting more attention. This article explores possible opportunities of adoption of blockchain technology to improve patient data security, privacy, and care while outlining the challenges that practitioners may encounter.

Keywords

References

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