HINE-Block: Blockchain based Model for Secure Health Information Exchange

Abstract

Electronic health records (EHRs) have been used to keep patient data in hospitals since the emergence of information technology. However, health care organizations have been plagued with compromise and misuse of health information which has brought about distrust and unwillingness to freely share health records within the health care industry. This paper proposed a blockchain-based Health Information Exchange Model (HINE-Block) for secure exchange of health information to facilitate prompt medical diagnosis and treatment. HINE-Block utilized a permissioned blockchain technology where only approved healthcare organizations are permitted to join the network. HINE-Block exhibits high level of privacy and security by combining blockchain with cryptographic techniques, Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). HINE-Block provides trust thereby improving the sharing of health information.