As hospitals around the globe continue to see surging patient admissions because of the coronavirus pandemic, VeChain introduces The E-NewHealthLife, a new medical data management platform that is now being tested in emergency room settings.
The application, which VeChain developed with digital healthcare solutions firm I-Dante, is now in use in the Emergency Department of the Mediterranean Hospital of Cyprus, one of the largest healthcare institutions in the country.
The app uses the Digital Healthcare Passport, an encrypted NFC card that can be distributed to patients.
The card can identify patients automatically when they check in at the emergency room registration desk. It also allows them to manage their medical records, track their queue and share data with the hospital. Meanwhile, healthcare facilities can use the app to collect and record patient information.
VeChain says the app is designed to address technical problems in the healthcare sector, particularly in the management and sharing of patient data, using blockchain technology.
“Instead of relying on health information exchanges or other ways to aggregate data, the blockchain technology is capable of eliminating the middleman and accessing patient databases on a large, population scale.”
The firm says the app complies with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation and allows users to have complete control over their profile and medical records.
Patients can use their individual records as proof of their health status, but they have full discretion whether or not they share their data with a third-party.
VeChain is optimistic that blockchain technology will transform the healthcare industry. The firm says that by 2025, blockchain technology can save the medical sector between $100-$150 billion in costs related to security lapses, IT, support function, operations, and staff.