Electronic Health Record using Blockchain Technology

Blockchain enables a global database of medical records of a patient by removing the trusted intermediaries which are indeed super powerful and has the capability to transform the traditional healthcare system widely. In this thesis work, different existing methodologies have been investigated and how to efficiently make use of blockchain technology in the healthcare domain has been studied. It majorly solves the problem of scaling, protecting and information sharing securely globally.

Despite an increased focus on the security of electronic health records, the private information of patients is subject to data breaches on a regular basis. Previous efforts to combat this have resulted in data being mostly inaccessible to patients. Existing record management systems struggle with balancing data privacy and the need for patients and providers to regularly interact with data. Blockchain technology is an emerging technology that enables data sharing in a decentralized and transactional fashion. Blockchain’s intermediary-free, cryptographically secured attributes offer a new way of storing patient data securely and at the same time publicly available in a regulated way, where a well designed distributed peer to peer network incentivize the smooth operation of a full-featured EHR system. Blockchain is causing a hype and optimism that has rarely been seen in the history of technology. With examples for public healthcare management,user-oriented medical research and drug counterfeiting in the pharmaceutical sector, this thesis work aims to illustrate possible influences, goals and potentials connected to this disruptive technology.

An electronic health record (EHR) is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. EHRs are real-time, patient-centred records that make information available instantly and securely to authorized users. While an EHR does contain the medical and treatment histories of patients, an EHR system is built to go beyond standard clinical data collected in a provider’s office and can be inclusive of a broader view of a patient’s care. EHRs are a vital part of health IT and can contain a patient’s medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory and test results allow access to evidence-based tools that providers can use to make decisions about a patient’s care automate and streamline provider workflow.

One of the key features of an EHR is that health information can be created and managed by authorized providers in a digital format capable of being shared with other providers across more than one health care organization. EHRs are built to share information with other health care providers and organizations – such as laboratories, specialists, medical imaging facilities, pharmacies, emergency facilities, and school and workplace clinics – so they contain information from all clinicians involved in a patient’s care.

With EHRs, an organization can help build a healthier future for our nation