RxBlock: Towards the design of a distributed immutable electronic prescription system

Abstract

Blockchains have received much hype lately and researchers and developers are seeking unique and innovative uses for this new technology. The medical field is no exception, specifically pharmaceutical uses for blockchains. To this effect, this proposed research aims to design a secure and efficient electronic prescription system leveraging blockchain technology. Using the unique properties of blockchains, the proposed application (RxBlock) seeks to explore how a blockchain could be used in electronic prescriptions. The proposed application creates an immutable ledger of transactions occurring over a network. This property of immutability provides the much-needed compliance and accountability for the electronic prescription system. It takes into consideration a simplified electronic prescription process to design and implement a prototype electronic prescribing system on a privatized Ethereum blockchain. The use of this application also seeks to serve as a potential Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) database. The goal is to enable the development of a PDMP database to provide the necessary attestation of the prescriptions, create accountability and reduce prescription overdose for patients. Evaluation studies of the proposed application (RxBlock) have been conducted with pre- and post-assessment studies at a partner nationally recognized HIMSS Stage 7 regional trauma center (> 600 beds) and its affiliated 31 associated clinical practices. Results confirm that the proposed solution demonstrates the potential to alleviate the drug overdose crisis and enables the design of an effective and accountable electronic prescription development/monitoring system. This would effectively aid in improving quality and reducing cost of such healthcare service systems.