A Framework to Integrate Healthcare Records in the South African Public Hospitals Using Blockchain Technology

Abstract

In the public sector in South Africa, health records are not integrated into a single system and a new file is opened every time a patient consults in a different hospital. This compromises the quality of the medical services as the doctors diagnose a patient without the medical history. At times, healthcare providers find it difficult or impossible to treat the patients without access to the medical history of patients because it involves high risks that include repetition or duplication of treatments and prescriptions. This study conducted literature review to demonstrate a need for a framework which involves the use of blockchain technology for security to integrate healthcare records in the South African public hospitals. It was established that one of the elements that impedes the integration of the health records in South Africa is security of information. A framework that enables public hospitals using blockchain technology for security to integrate health records is suggested. The framework enables public hospitals anywhere in the country to access the complete, accurate and secure health records of a patient, irrespective of where the file was opened. Blockchain can be used to secure such information so that when health records are integrated, a complete, accurate and secure medical history can be generated. In that regard, a health record of a patient can be accessed and added anywhere in the country, leaving a digital trail for a system that can be trusted inherently.