Hi there,
In this post, I aim to highlight the need for an interoperable blockchain platform for medical records and Hospital Information Systems (HIS). While many articles and discussions explore blockchain for Electronic Health Records (EHR), I want to clarify the key points and bridge the gap between healthcare needs and technical solutions.
I’ll skip the broader financial landscape of digital health and market trends to focus on the product side. Globally, thousands of EHR systems exist, and individuals often have their medical records scattered across multiple platforms. Some records are held by physicians in office databases, others in paraclinical centers, and some in centralized hospital systems.
Consider a scenario: someone has an accident and is rushed to a hospital. They’d need extraordinary luck for that hospital to have access to their medical history. This fragmented ecosystem is deeply inefficient. Even if hospitals and healthcare providers (HCPs) agreed to create a unified database, a Web 2.0 centralized platform would pose significant risks due to its vulnerability to breaches and single points of failure.
I invite the brilliant minds on this platform to think deeply about developing a solution. I believe a blockchain-based platform must meet at least the following criteria:
- Interoperability: Data must be encoded to enable secure, seamless transfer across diverse platforms to meet varying needs.
- Open Source: The platform should be transparent and accessible to foster collaboration and trust.
- Data Privacy: Patient data must remain confidential yet easily accessible in emergencies, balancing security with usability.
- IoT Compatibility: The platform should integrate with IoT devices, such as lab equipment and imaging systems, to send and receive data efficiently.
I hope this post sparks ideas and inspires solutions for a more decentralized, connected healthcare ecosystem.