Implementation of a 4-tier cloud-based architecture for collaborative health care delivery

N.A Azeez,H.D Iliyas

doi:10.4314/njtd.v13i1.4

Abstract

Cloud services permit healthcare providers to ensure information handling and allow different service resources such as Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) on the Internet, given that security and information proprietorship concerns are attended to. Health Care Providers (HCPs) in Nigeria however, have been confronted with various issues because of their method of operations. Amongst the issues are ill-advised methods of data storage and unreliable nature of patient medical records. Apart from these challenges, trouble in accessing quality healthcare services, high cost of medical services, and wrong analysis and treatment methodology are not left out. Cloud Computing has relatively possessed the capacity to give proficient and reliable method for securing medical information and the need for data mining tools in this form of distributed system will go a long way in achieving the objective set out for this project. The aim of this research therefore is to implement a cloud-based architecture that is suitable to integrate Healthcare Delivery into the cloud to provide a productive mode of operation. The proposed architecture consists of four phases (4-Tier); a User Authentication and Access Control Engine (UAACE) which prevents unauthorized access to patient medical records and also utilizes standard encryption/decoding techniques to ensure privacy of such records. The architecture likewise contains a Data Analysis and Pattern Prediction Unit (DAPPU) which gives valuable data that guides decision making through standard Data mining procedures as well as Cloud Service Provider (CSP) and Health Care Providers (HCPs). The architecture which has been implemented on CloudSim has proved to be efficient and reliable base on the results obtained when compared with previous work. Keywords: Architecture, collaborative, cloud computing, cloud service provider (CSP), health care

Highlights

Cloud computing is an Information Technology (IT) model enabling on-demand access to computing resources as a subscription service
The platform was implemented using a simulation tool for cloud computing to demonstrate the connection of the Cloud Service Provider (CSP) and Health Care Providers (HCPs) which serves as the Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), while a web based application is used to demonstrate the Software as a Service (SaaS); Data Authentication and Access Control Unit (DAACE) and Data Analysis and Pattern Prediction Unit (DAPPU), with the use of Rivest Sharmir Adleman (RSA) and K-Nearest Neighbor algorithm (KNN) algorithm respectively
This research study provides a platform which embodies a User Authentication and Access Control Engine (UAACE) that guarantees the security and confidentiality of patients’ medical records and as well prevents unapproved access to such records. It provides a means through which useful information can be mined through its DAPPU which can as well lead to effective decision making by concerned stakeholders

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Cloud computing is an Information Technology (IT) model enabling on-demand access to computing resources as a subscription service. Clients access and use external resources dynamically in a pay-as-you-go manner This proves to be very appealing to businesses as it provides greater flexibility and efficiency than maintaining local infrastructure that is underutilized most of the time while at times it may be insufficient (Nikolay & Rajkumar, 2015). Cloud computing is being considered by industries whose operations could have great implications for the well-being of society Industries such as pharmaceutical and medical research organizations and health-care establishments engaged in the business of finding cures for humanity’s major illnesses and helping patients are among the latest customers to test and experience the potential advantages. The platform was implemented using a simulation tool for cloud computing to demonstrate the connection of the CSPs and HCPs which serves as the IaaS, while a web based application is used to demonstrate the SaaS; DAACE and DAPPU, with the use of RSA and KNN algorithm respectively

CLOUD COMPUTING AND HEALTHCARE DELIVERY SYSTEM

IMPLEMENTATION

CONCLUSION

FUTURE WORK