Enhancing EHR Interoperability and Security through Distributed Ledger Technology: A Review

【Author】 Ferreira, Joao Carlos; Elvas, Luis B.; Correia, Ricardo; Mascarenhas, Miguel

【Source】HEALTHCARE

【影响因子】3.160

【Abstract】The management and exchange of electronic health records (EHRs) remain critical challenges in healthcare, with fragmented systems, varied standards, and security concerns hindering seamless interoperability. These challenges compromise patient care and operational efficiency. This paper proposes a novel solution to address these issues by leveraging distributed ledger technology (DLT), including blockchain, to enhance data security, integrity, and transparency in healthcare systems. The decentralized and immutable nature of DLT enables more efficient and secure information exchange across platforms, improving decision-making and coordination of care. This paper outlines a strategic implementation approach, detailing timelines, resource requirements, and stakeholder involvement while addressing crucial privacy and security concerns like encryption and access control. In addition, it explores standards and protocols necessary for achieving interoperability, offering case studies that demonstrate the framework's effectiveness. This work contributes by introducing a DLT-based solution to the persistent issue of EHR interoperability, providing a novel pathway to secure and efficient health data exchanges. It also identifies the standards and protocols essential for integrating DLT with existing health information systems, thereby facilitating a smoother transition toward enhanced interoperability.

【Keywords】electronic health records (EHRs); distributed ledger technology (DLT); health data interoperability; data security in healthcare; medical data integration

【发表时间】2024 OCT

【收录时间】2024-10-21

【文献类型】理论模型

【主题类别】

区块链技术-核心技术-分布式账本