Читать книгу Blockchain Data Analytics For Dummies - Michael G. Solomon - Страница 65

Healthcare has become one of the most popular topics of conversations ranging from politics to research to spending. It seems that everyone is interested in increasing the quality of healthcare while reducing its cost. The availability of large amounts of digital data have made advances in healthcare possible.

Researchers can analyze large amounts of data to explore new treatment plans, increase the overall effectiveness of existing drugs and procedures, and identify cost-saving opportunities. This type of analysis is possible only with access to vast amounts of patient medical history. The main problem for researchers is that a patient’s electronic health record (EHR) is likely stored as fragments across multiple practices and databases. Although ongoing efforts to combine these records exist, privacy is a growing concern (we’re back to the trust problem) and progress is slow.

EHR management is a good fit for a blockchain app. Storing a patient’s EHR in an Ethereum blockchain can remove the silos of fragmented data without having to trust each entity that provides or modified parts of the EHR. Storing the EHR in this way also helps clarify the billing and payment for medical services. With comprehensive medical procedure history all in one place, medical service providers and insurance companies can see the same view of a patient’s treatment. Full history makes it easier to figure out what should be billed.

Another advantage that blockchain apps can provide in the healthcare domain is in managing pharmaceuticals. Blockchain EHRs provide the information for medical practitioners to see a full history and current snapshot of a patient’s prescription medications. It also allows researchers, auditors, and even pharmaceutical manufacturers to examine the effect and possible real side effects of their products. Having EHRs available, yet protected, can provide valuable information to increase the quality of healthcare services.