Using Blockchain Integration Patterns to Ensure Data Integrity in the Health Care Industry

Abstract

Security is crucial in the healthcare industry. Between 2012 and 2019, almost 179 million health records were exposed to data breaches. The intruders got into homes and companies to take credit card and banking information, as well as health and genetic research data. Blockchain is a fantastic technology for applications in the area of protection because it can keep an incorruptible, decentralized, and open record of all patient data. It is, nevertheless, secure and keeps any person's identity hidden. When dealing with decentralized technology, patients, doctors, and hospital personnel may all share the same information. On a blockchain, the cost of verifying a single transaction is negligible. You can audit a single piece of data in real time, and it's entirely visible to everyone. As a result, costless verification is economically possible. Recent audits of healthcare data, for example, have necessitated the time-consuming and costly examination of tiny units of transactions. This procedure had to be interrupted and redone on a frequent basis prior to blockchains in order to comply with regulations. Compared to traditional healthcare information management solutions, blockchain provides five potential benefits. Blockchains are ideal for decentralized administration applications, such as when hospitals, consumers, and payers want to work together without the need for a middleman. The second advantage of blockchains is that they may offer immutable archives of sensitive data, which makes them ideal for static databases (e.g., insurance claim records). Blockchains are very useful for tracing the origins and histories of digital artifacts (e.g., patient consent in clinical trials). According to cryptographic protocols, changing the ownership of an item can only be done by the person who owns it. Furthermore, the attributes' origins may be traced, making previously confirmed evidence considerably more reusable. The fourth advantage of blockchains is that they ensure the longevity, consistency, and accessibility of records. As a result, they're perfect for long-term records storage and availability (e.g., the electronic health records of patients). Patients' personal keys encrypt the data, which is only accessible with their consent, making it safer and more private. There is no method to access personal information even if the network is hacked by a hostile entity.