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Blockchain technology has somewhat sadly been described as “a solution to the search for a problem,” but as the healthcare sector responds to the demands of the pandemic, several valuable use cases have emerged that could benefit from the use of emerging technology. .
Thanks in large part to its ability to foster trust, transparency and privacy, blockchain has emerged as the best technology-based option today for achieving the important goal of providing real-time access to critical information that is presented in a consistent format from trusted sources.
False positives, duplicate records, and privacy concerns make it very difficult to confidently extract actionable information from the existing data-sharing infrastructure in the healthcare industry. Furthermore, the lack of trust represents another challenge that hinders the formation of greater transparency, as much of the healthcare sector remains reluctant to pervasively share data due to privacy and competitive barriers.
By design, blockchain allows competing organizations to come together to share data on their patients in a fully verifiable way, while maintaining their competitive independence and privacy concerns. It is these fundamental qualities that have helped blockchain emerge as a viable solution for a number of critical health functions that grew in importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as contact tracking, supplier credentials and sharing of records. patients.
Blockchain: the basics
Before delving into the specifics of what blockchain can do for healthcare during the pandemic, it is important to establish a general understanding of the basics of blockchain. It is not absolutely necessary for most healthcare executives to develop a deep understanding of the technology, but familiarity with its essential elements will allow business leaders to speak more or less the same language as healthcare tech experts, as blockchain continues to earn. importance.
Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that allows users to share trusted and verified information in a decentralized way. Combined with security and encryption technology, blockchain can protect the privacy of users who contribute data by also sharing where the data comes from, improving trust.
Blockchain technology provides a secure and effective way to accurately document, maintain, store and move data, from medical records to financial transactions. With blockchain, people can interact directly with others to receive services, transfer money, and perform other common daily tasks that we do in business today.
Use cases of the blockchain
The major benefits offered by blockchain are associated with greater trust and privacy due to the technology’s ability to allow for better accuracy and verification of data. At its most basic level, blockchain changes ownership and control of data from a centralized source to multiple sources providing data. Below are three use cases related to COVID-19 for blockchain in healthcare.
Contact tracking: To track the potential transmission of the novel coronavirus, many governments have embarked on contact tracing, in which infected people are asked to list all other people they have come in contact with over a period of time. Data decentralization helps facilitate critical health operations such as contact tracing because the process relies on using granular and sensitive data to inform public health officials of who may be at risk of exposure based on their movements and contacts. In the traceability of contracts, the maintenance of people’s privacy is essential. Earlier this year, blockchain platform Nodle launched a contact tracking app called “Coalition”, which emphasized user privacy.
Sharing of patient records: Another valuable use case for blockchain in relation to COVID-19 is aggregating patient medical records during a crisis or disaster to create a “lightweight” electronic health record system, which disparate groups of providers can use to share patient records while treating unfamiliar patients during pandemic or other crises and natural disasters. This platform will allow providers to work with patients who may not have access to their usual provider, but still receive the full range of services and prescriptions needed. The main concept of the solution is that electronic patient records follow them wherever they go. In other words, regardless of where the patient is during a disaster, there is always access to their personal medical information and they are able to receive the required medical services. This patient data can be provided via a blockchain digital wallet, providing access, security and data integrity.
Vendor credentials: Supplier credentials – which is the process of verifying supplier skills, training and education – is an often tedious and time-consuming process for both suppliers and payers that can lead to delays in care that contribute to poor health outcomes. Using blockchain for the process, providers can stay in control of their data and provide healthcare systems, payers and other authorities with access to their credentials as they prefer. Earlier this year, five organizations announced plans to use ProCredEx’s new blockchain credential system with the goal of using distributed ledger technology to reduce the time and cost associated with the traditional credentialing approach.
The right technology at the right time
It is important to note that blockchain technology requires a cultural and paradigm shift towards wider collaboration between traditionally disparate and potentially competitive entities. The technology facilitates a framework that allows organizations to contribute to joint efforts without putting their intellectual property or proprietary information at risk. However, an intentional change in behavior will still be required to successfully work across different corporate interests towards a common goal. However, to overcome the challenges of manual and time-consuming processes for contact tracing, sharing patient records, and provider credentials, blockchain is the right technology at the right time.
About Brett Furst
Brett Furst, a senior executive with nearly 30 years of experience in selling and managing technology solutions in the manufacturing, food and healthcare industries, is president of HHS Technology Group, a software and solutions company serving the needs of businesses commercial and government agencies.
