Blockchain and interoperability for EHR systems

Blockchain and interoperability for EHR systems – a brief primer

Cryptocurrency and blockchain

Like most other sectors and segments of the economy, blockchain technology is all the rage in healthcare, and it’s not hard to see why. Data, handling, ownership and interoperability are increasingly valuable in most industries, and healthcare is no exception.

In fact, EHR or electronic health services that have led to significant efficiency gains in hospitals and practices since the beginning of this century remain largely limited due to the lack of interoperability and limited data flow, which blockchain can unlock.

Blockchain and interoperability for EHR systems – a brief primer

Far from being a buzzword, blockchain has many applications and remarkable potential in healthcare. While still in its infancy, we can already see trends emerging, from what is essentially a match made in heaven, with billions in potential value all set to be unlocked in the years ahead.

Decentralization and security

One of the biggest benefits of blockchain is its decentralized nature, and when it comes to healthcare and EHRs, hospitals and users are no longer held hostage by software vendors with centralized data ownership.

All data and transactions are stored on a distributed ledger for all to see in a secure and transparent manner.

The data is also immutable, meaning it cannot be changed or modified. What goes on the ledger is irreversible, which has significant advantages, but also comes with its share of disadvantages.

Blockchains are further distributed across thousands, or even millions of different networks of computers, ensuring that there is no single point of failure in the system, leading to significant security and safety from hackers and other nefarious actors.

Transparency and privacy

Anyone with experience from the healthcare sector can testify to how much administrative and process-related bloat this sector has to deal with. This is largely a result of the lack of trust and transparency in older systems.

For example, insurance companies require extensive documentation to prove the necessity of various procedures and therapies before paying out funds. However, this will not be so cumbersome if everything related to the patient’s medical history is on the blockchain, allowing for easy, seamless verification.

This does not mean that patient data is a free-for-all, if anything, it is quite the opposite, with patients having complete ownership of their data, and only sharing it with relevant stakeholders when necessary, as opposed to largely centralized data ownership that is widespread today.

Interoperability

One of the biggest advantages of blockchain technology in EHR systems is their interoperability, that is, different systems, tools and software will be able to communicate with each other and work with the same data.

To better illustrate this, care agency software, even if made by a different company, in a different part of the world, will now be able to access medical records and all relevant data related to a patient, seamlessly and effortlessly.

Interoperability has long been the missing piece of the puzzle that is stifling digitization in the healthcare system, and with blockchain it is finally within the realm of possibility. Although the efficiency it brings will destroy countless administrative jobs, it stands to create a lot of value for medical professionals and patients in the long run.

Last word

Regardless of what the naysayers say, blockchain has the undeniable potential to fundamentally reshape electronic health records, and with it the broader healthcare industry.

For blockchain enthusiasts and healthcare professionals alike, these are undeniably exciting times, with many of the features discussed above leading to monumental changes in the industry that extend beyond just data sharing and interoperability.

These changes will essentially give doctors the opportunity to get more work done and spend less time dealing with bureaucratic obstacles. Similarly, technologies built on blockchain will enable telemedicine to gain more traction, bringing the likes of Teladoc and MDLive into the mainstream.

Blockchain and interoperability for EHR systems – a brief primer