Healthcare Blockchain and HIT Infrastructure

The unique infrastructure and compliance requirements of the healthcare industry could promote the overall development of enterprise blockchain solutions. Understanding the working and uses of healthcare blockchain from an infrastructure perspective can contribute to the successful deployment of the technology. The blockchain is more of a software and protocol adjustment requiring collaboration between healthcare enterprises and providers. Identity management comprising the trend of self-identification are healthcare blockchain applications.

Blockchain handles data in small chunks of transactions resembling a database though dissimilar to traditional databases. The add-only data concept of the two-layer blockchain implies a permanent layer of raw data with a layer of transactions on top of it.

Patients and providers demanding access to medical data can be provided with an interoperable exit to their data alongside managed security using blockchain. Physicians and nurses will use their identity as employees of the healthcare organization to access data sources they need. Identity serves as the ticket to data access and is stored as a credential in the system. This method under blockchain is still developing and requires standardization for success. Standards in the form of self-sovereign identity systems are establishing protocols whereby a system wishing to authenticate a user can make verified claims from a blockchain system.

Blockchain can help deconstruct data system restrictions and enable secure and easy data sharing by decentralizing data systems.