Blockchain is generally thought of as a technology that is used in the banking industry; however, it is quickly gaining traction in other industries as well (tourism, logistics, education, and manufacturing). The healthcare industry has also taken notice of blockchain’s ability to securely transfer data, and it is attempting to use it for the benefit of patients as part of its ongoing efforts to implement blockchain technology. How exactly is this innovation affecting the delivery of healthcare services and the creation of software for healthcare? Let’s find it out.
Blockchain in a nutshell
A database that takes the shape of a distributed ledger is what’s known as a blockchain. Transactions are recorded in such a ledger using blocks, and each block has a unique key that is used to link it to the block that came before it (hash). The time, date, people involved, and quantities of money associated with a given transaction are all stored in the information that is contained within each block. All of the members of the network have access to these shared data.
The information contained in a blockchain is immutable and cannot be altered. In order to add new information, more than half of the participants need to verify that the existing information is accurate. As a result, everyone has access to a central repository of authentic information that is kept secret using a cryptographic key. When a new block is added, the verification of the one before it and of the chain as a whole is strengthened. Because of the hash, the data are very difficult, if not impossible, to steal or decrypt. You will require a significant amount of computational power in order to successfully predict the correct combination of digits and unlock the block.
Because it enables users to safeguard and validate any data in a distributed network, blockchain technology has quickly gained widespread adoption.
The application of blockchain technology in healthcare, according to the statistics
An interest in blockchain technology has been sparked as a result of the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices used in medicine, the rise in the frequency of hacks, and situations involving fake medications.
According to the projections made by Research and Markets, the global market for technology will have increased by 61.4% between 2018 and 2022, reaching a total value of $500 million. IDC anticipates that by the year 2025, blockchain technology will power 55 percent of all medical applications.
Statista predicts that the identification of fake pharmaceuticals and the secure sharing of information will be the most common use of blockchain technology in the healthcare industry. The amount of money spent on blockchain technologies is expected to nearly triple by 2024 and reach $19 billion.
Application of blockchain in healthcare
The use of blockchain apps in healthcare settings will help patients take priority. They will also make it possible for experts to set up an exchange of medical data that is both safe and effective. The following procedures will be made more efficient as a result of the technology:
Maintenance of EHRs/EMRs
A record amount of data thefts were reported in the industry in 2021, according to the breach portal maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights. 44,993,618 patient medical records were compromised and taken in a hacking incident. In terms of malicious cyberactivity, 2021 was the second worst year ever.
There are stringent laws within the sector, such as HIPAA and GDPR, that protect the personal data of patients. At the same time, electronic health records cannot be separated out so that medical professionals can assist patients in urgent situations. This issue can be remedied with the help of distributed registry technology.
One centralised and trustworthy data platform will be available for usage by healthcare organisations. The unique patient ID, an encrypted link to the patient’s health data, and the timestamp that indicates when the transaction was initiated are all stored within block transactions. Applications that use blockchain technology not only gather information from formal medical records but also information from mobile health platforms and wearable devices.
A digital signature is used to verify the legitimacy of a record (such as a prescription, laboratory analysis, or study result) whenever it is created by a medical professional. A patient might grant temporary access to their health information so that it can be shared with other medical professionals. Customers of Medicalchain gain access to their personal health records by scanning a specific bracelet using their smartphones.
As a result, blockchain technology will facilitate the safe storage and exchange of data across various healthcare providers. Patients will be able to monitor their health and access urgent care at any location that provides medical services.
Conducting clinical trials
One of the difficult aspects of getting ready for research is finding people to participate in clinical tests. About half of the research centres at 14 different cancer hospitals were unable to locate applicants, according to the poll. There are many different causes for the occurrence of obstacles:
- The time and resources available to the researchers are insufficient to search for potential possibilities.
- Locations for the tests are selected according to the proximity of scientists to such locations. There are several instances in which these are not practical for the participants themselves.
- Patients have a limited understanding of the opportunities available to them to take part in research.
- Individuals are reluctant to part with their private information.
Users are able to sell their medical data in an anonymous manner to researchers, medication developers, marketers, and other interested parties with the use of blockchain applications. For instance, a person with cancer who is undergoing treatment can grant access to a record of that therapy, but they are not required to share contact information or archival data. Researchers are making use of this knowledge to further their understanding of cancer and to develop more effective treatment options.
Medication tracking
In countries with low and moderate incomes, as much as 10% of the medicine supply may be substandard or counterfeit. According to the World Health Organization, there are around one percent fewer fakes in wealthy countries. On the other hand, this results in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people each year. As a result, pharmaceutical companies and clinics are looking for ways to assist in identifying the sources of the distribution of potentially harmful medications and putting a stop to it. One of these is implementing blockchain technology into the supply chain of healthcare.
Because of this new technology, it is necessary for medication producers, providers of logistics services, distributors, pharmacies, hospitals, and patients to all become members of a global network in order to monitor the circulation of medicines inside that network. The procedure is laid out in the following manner:
- A QR tag that contains the drug’s name, the date and location of manufacture, and the expiration date is affixed to the package once it has been produced by a manufacturer. The information is kept in an online database, which all participants have access to. If any of the commodities being stored are perishable and are fitted with Internet of Things sensors for temperature regulation, then the blockchain will also get data regarding the conditions of their storage. Customers will be able to monitor the location of their medication thanks to position sensors that can be attached to the batch.
- When a carrier firm delivers the items to the distributor, the distributor next verifies that the goods meet the required quality standards. They use a digital signature to validate the genuineness of the medication, which then initiates smart contracts for the distribution of the product to medical facilities and pharmacies.
- In order to determine where a drug came from, pharmacists will utilise a hash ID. It is impossible for an illegal distributor to sell fake pharmaceuticals to a pharmacy, thus any attempt to do so will be fruitless. The attacker does not have permission to use the network, and the blockchain does not include information on the QR tag attached to the merchandise. This material is straightforward and simple to understand. Once all of the paperwork has been completed, a pharmacist will receive the medications and then add a transaction with the distributor. This kind of arrangement is not illegal.
- Patients use a smartphone app to scan the QR codes that are located on the packaging of the medications that they purchase. They investigate the origin of the medication, determine whether or not it satisfies the quality requirements, and determine whether or not the transport and storage conditions have been adhered to.
Statista estimates that the annual loss to the US economy is somewhere around $200 billion. Blockchain technology will be used to assist in the construction of a supply chain that is both open and visible, and which is impenetrable by potentially harmful fake medications. Both the risk to the patients’ health and the potential for economic damage will be mitigated as a result.
Medical device tracking
A hospital’s ability to keep better track on vital medical equipment thanks to blockchain technology. RFID tags are typically utilised in medical facilities in order to expeditiously locate the appropriate equipment and display relevant information regarding it (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.). The technology of distributed ledgers brings with it new capacities for monitoring.
The Unique Device Identification protocol is used to establish a connection between an RFID tag and a blockchain (UDI). The information about the device is saved on the network, where it cannot be altered. When a member of staff in the medical field scans a tag using their smartphone, they are provided with comprehensive details regarding the equipment. Before each use or sterilisation, the equipment has to go through a scanning process.
As a result, the medical staff at the hospital may determine, by looking at the records included in a block, which device was used more frequently, when maintenance should be scheduled, and whether or not the regulations for equipment processing are followed. They are able to find a device by using the UDI, but no one else is able to alter the equipment’s location history or delete it from the list. It is impossible to steal the device.
Conclusion
The implementation of blockchain technology in medical software development frees the sector from some restrictions and paves the way for the safe and efficient transfer of patient information. Electronic health records that are powered by blockchain will provide confidential care for patients hospitalised to emergency departments. Because of this technology, clinical research will progress to the next level, which will allow researchers to access anonymised case histories. It will assist the industry in eradicating fake medications, as well as preventing theft and smuggling.
The application of this technology opens up a wider range of possibilities. Effective blockchain apps are necessary for medical businesses in order to resolve internal difficulties and provide seamless service to clients. To put their proposal into action, they should submit it to a business that specialises in the development of bespoke software for the healthcare industry, such as Andersen Inc. A partner of this kind in the technology sector will decide which kinds of processes blockchain can be applied to. Professionals in information technology will develop a dependable software solution and then integrate it into the operations of a healthcare facility.