If we talk about modern healthcare, Electronic Health Records (EHRs) work as a lifeline. By digitizing the patient’s data, EHR not only makes medical processes more accessible but also improves the accuracy of treatment and care quality.
This is the reason why the adoption of EHR systems is growing rapidly. By 2033, the market is projected to reach $45.9 billion, with cloud-based solutions contributing $21.11 billion and on-premise solutions $24.79 billion, reflecting a sustained and robust growth trajectory for both segments. (Marketus media)
However, despite such a strong system, the healthcare industry is still suffering from inefficiencies. Let’s take a look at some eye-opening data.
- $6.5 billion is lost annually due to data breaches in healthcare, with the US experiencing 54% of these incidents. (IEEE Xplore)
- 64% of physicians feel frustrated by challenges in accessing clinical information from other providers, which suggests significant dissatisfaction related to interoperability issues. (athenahealth)
- Administrative costs in US healthcare systems account for 34% of total expenditures, significantly higher than in other developed countries. (Digital Health Central)
Here, Blockchain technology, with its decentralized and tamper-proof features, is an emerging ideal solution that can overcome these challenges and accelerate EHR uses in the market.
In this blog, we’ll explore how Blockchain can reshape EHR systems, and what are its benefits for healthcare providers and patients.
And what solutions a Blockchain technology can offer that address these challenges in innovative and effective ways.
What Is a Blockchain-Based EHR?
Blockchain-based Electronic Health Record (EHR) is an EHR that uses blockchain technology to make it easier to manage a patient’s digital health record system, share patient data easily, and keep patient health data secure. As incidents of data breaches are emerging, the requirements for blockchain-based EHR are increasing. It not only secures the patient data but also makes that data manageable so that patient data can be shared from one place to another quickly.
Here are the key characteristics and benefits:
Decentralized Data Storage: Patient records are stored across a distributed network. It reduces the dependency on a central database, which is very vulnerable to breaches.
Tamper-Proof Blocks: Each update creates an immutable block linked to previous records, ensuring data integrity.
Smart Contracts: Automated permissions allow easy sharing of data among authorized stakeholders.
Why Is Blockchain Ideal for EHRs?
Blockchain unlocks new opportunities for Electronic Health Records (EHRs) by addressing the challenges of data management in healthcare. Blockchain makes EHR systems decentralized, secure, and transparent so that users can trust these systems.
Unlike traditional systems, Blockchain provides:
Data Transparency: There is complete transparency in the patient’s data such that the patient can check his data whenever he wants. Not only this, the patient can also control his data as to who can see his data.
Improved Security: Blockchain provides a secure system that helps prevent data breaches. Many times patient data is stolen, due to which the patient has to face other problems unnecessarily. Blockchain systems make the security circle of EHR systems so strong that no one can steal the patient’s data.
Interoperability: The biggest issue we have with EHRs is poor interoperability among different healthcare systems. Blockchain facilitates smooth data exchange between various providers and systems through standardized protocols. With this capability, patient real-time data can be accessed on different platforms. And helps in delivering improved patient care with reduced medical errors.
For Healthcare Providers: Blockchain’s Transformative Benefits
Improved Data Interoperability
According to a report by IEEE Xplore, healthcare providers suffer around $30 billion every year in losses in the form of inefficiencies due to interoperability issues.
Talking about traditional EHR systems, most systems use formats that are incompatible, making data sharing between different platforms difficult. Blockchain proves to be very beneficial here by creating a universal framework where every provider in the network uses the same standards.
Example: Patient records in Estonia are digitized and secured by the Blockchain, providing a single immutable data source for healthcare professionals.
| Metric | Traditional EHRs | Blockchain EHRs |
| Data Sharing Efficiency | Limited | Seamless |
| Administrative Costs | High | Lower by 30%-40% |
| Patient Records Accuracy | Prone to Errors | Immutable and Real-Time |
Improved Data Integrity
Data breaches in the healthcare industry are common and expensive. In 2023, patient records were involved in 70% of all healthcare breaches, according to a report in the HIPAA Journal.
The immutability of blockchain technology makes it impossible to change or remove data without consensus, which greatly minimizes the possibility of fraud or mistake.
Simplified Claims Processing
Billing and claims errors lead to significant revenue losses. Smart contracts on Blockchain automate claims verification, reducing the average processing time from weeks to minutes. Companies like Anthem saved a huge amount on their administrative expenses after implementing Blockchain for claims.
For Patients: Empowerment Through Blockchain
Ownership and Control
In today’s time, patients have no control over their own health data. Patient data is being leaked from anywhere at any time. Blockchain proves to be very helpful in this. It keeps the patient at the center of information so that the patient can see his data whenever he wants and can also control who can use that data.
With Blockchain in EHRs, patients can:
- Approve or deny data access.
- Receive real-time notifications when their records are accessed.
Case Study
In a Massachusetts pilot program, a blockchain-based app gave patients control over their data. This led to a 30% improvement in patient satisfaction scores and fewer disputes over record inaccuracies.
Privacy and Security
Traditional EHRs could be easily hacked by any hacker. Hacking EHRs is not that easy due to the lack of Blockchain techniques. Blockchain uses advanced encryption to secure records. Even if hackers breach the network, the decentralized design makes unauthorized access virtually impossible.
Accountability and Transparency
Patients can see every time their data is used, which makes sure that providers are held responsible. This is especially important when there is a wrong diagnosis or other medical mistake because it lets the patient dispute any mistakes in their records.
Addressing Current Challenges in EHR Systems
The healthcare industry has come a long way with the use of electronic health records (EHRs), but they are still not completely safe or efficient. It is possible to solve these problems in new and useful ways with blockchain technology.
Breaking Down Data Silos
The Problem
Information is stored in separate “silos” in traditional EHR systems because they are broken up. When records are spread out across several facilities or systems, these silos make it hard for healthcare providers to get a full picture of a patient’s history.
The hardest thing about making healthcare more interoperable and connected was managing data that wasn’t organized in a way that could be easily read. The survey found that this was a problem for almost half of the people who worked in hospitals and health systems who answered it.
Here is the report shared by Statista, which tells what percentage of respondents have issues in respective areas (EHR data, adaptability with EHRs, organizational concerns, etc.).
Blockchain’s Solution
Blockchain can unify disparate EHR systems by creating a shared, decentralized ledger accessible to all authorized stakeholders. This makes sure that providers, labs, and pharmacies can all access the same data at the same time, no matter what platform they use. Blockchain breaks down silos, which lets:
- Faster and more accurate diagnoses.
- Reduced duplication of tests, saving both time and money.
- Enhanced continuity of care across multiple providers.
Real-World Example
Estonia’s healthcare system has used Blockchain technology to keep the national EHR database secure. Patients can now check their data securely whenever they want. Another benefit of this is increased coordination between healthcare providers and patients. This system has resulted in better patient outcomes and significant cost savings.
Improved Security and Privacy
The Problem
Traditional EHR systems store data in centralized databases, making them prime targets for hackers. Sensitive information like medical histories and billing details is particularly vulnerable.
According to a Statista report, The number of data compromises in the US in 2023 was 3,205, and they affected over 353 million people. Data compromises include data breaches, leakage, and exposure. These are three different events, but they all have one thing in common: someone who is not supposed to have access to the sensitive data gets to it.
Blockchain’s Solution
Blockchain technology proves to be quite effective here. It provides decentralized and encrypted architecture, which improves data security considerably.
Key features include:
Immutability: Data cannot be altered without the consensus of the entire network. This prevents tampering.
Encryption: Records are stored as cryptographic hashes, making them inaccessible to unauthorized users even if the Blockchain is breached.
Access Control: Patients are provided private keys to access their data so that only they can access their data.
Case Study
In 2022, a blockchain-based EHR project implemented in South Korea reduced data breaches by 90%, according to a study published in Blockchain in Healthcare Today.
Addressing Regulatory and Compliance Challenges
The Problem
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) in the US and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in the EU say that EHR systems must operate in accordance with the regulations they create. Traditional EHR systems are unable to maintain compliance with these regulations due to the complexity of tracking and auditing data access.
Blockchain’s Solution
Blockchain makes following the rules easier by keeping a record of all interactions (by providing an audit trail) with patient data that can’t be changed. This makes sure:
- Transparency in how and when data is accessed.
- Simplified reporting for compliance audits.
- Automatic enforcement of data-sharing policies through smart contracts.
Example
MediLedger is a blockchain-based solution for pharmaceutical supply chains that are looking into how to connect EHR systems to make sure they follow data protection laws and make sharing data easy.
Reducing Administrative Overheads
The Problem
Administrative tasks in the US are so numerous that they also involve a considerable amount of expense.
According to a Statista report Administrative tasks, including verifying insurance claims and updating patient records, account for 34% of healthcare spending in the US And these tasks are so labor-intensive that there is a high chance of errors.
Additionally, they are also very time-consuming, due to which the time that should be given to the patients is spent in performing these tasks.
This is the percentage of non-elderly adults who perform administrative tasks like this.
Blockchain’s Solution
Smart contracts automate routine processes like insurance verification and billing, reducing administrative burdens. For example:
- Claims Processing: Smart contracts can validate claims in real-time, reducing disputes and processing times.
- Patient Onboarding: Patients can securely share their medical histories with new providers using Blockchain, eliminating the need for repetitive data entry.
Impact
A pilot program in Europe showed that Blockchain reduced administrative costs by 22%, freeing up resources for patient care.
Conclusion
Blockchain-powered EHRs represent the future of healthcare where security, efficiency and patient empowerment are at the forefront. Blockchain-enabled EHRs are more than capable of overcoming challenges faced by current systems.
They provide many benefits that give healthcare professionals a lot of edge over their competitors. It is secure as blockchain technology is tamper proof which protects your health data from hacking and theft. It is transparent, you and your patients get information as per their needs, whenever and wherever they want it with transparency. It is efficient, and saves time and cost spent on paperwork.
Now it’s your time to integrate blockchain-based EHRs into your healthcare practices and gain the momentum of a futuristic approach.
