J Yeungnam Med Sci.  2022 Apr;39(2):98-107. 10.12701/yujm.2021.01368.

Storing information of stroke rehabilitation patients using blockchain technology: a software study

• Chang MC

• KMID: 2529267
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2021.01368

Abstract

Background
Stroke patients usually experience damage to multiple functions and a long rehabilitation period. Hence, there is a large volume of patient clinical information. It thus takes a long time for clinicians to identify the patient’s information and essential pieces of information may be overlooked. To solve this, we stored the essential clinical information of stroke patients in a blockchain and implemented the blockchain technology using the Java programming language.
Methods
We created a mini blockchain to store the medical information of patients using the Java programming language.
Results
After generating a unique pair of public/private keys for identity verification, a patient’s identity is verified by applying the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm based on the generated keys. When the identity verification is complete, new medical data are stored in the transaction list and the generated transaction is verified. When verification is completed normally, the block hash value is derived using the transaction value and the hash value of the previous block. The hash value of the previous block is then stored in the generated block to interconnect the blocks.
Conclusion
We demonstrated that blockchain can be used to store and deliver the patient information of stroke patients. It may be difficult to directly implement the code that we developed in the medical field, but it can serve as a starting point for the creation of a blockchain system to be used in the field.

Keyword

Blockchain; Information services; Patients; Rehabilitation; Stroke

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Application of blockchain technology to medical information: patient identities are verified using the public key-based structure, and the medical records of the verified patients are connected as a chain through the hash value.

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  Fig. 2. Encryption process of the public key-based structure. After the consent to use and share personal medical information is provided, a unique pair of keys (private key, public key) is issued for the patient. An identity verification process is required to read or update medical records. The process is performed using the unique key pair assigned to the patient. Once the identity is verified normally, the patient’s past medical records can be read, and new ones can be written. A new medical record is stored in a block, and if no abnormality is observed through validation verification, the new medical record is linked to the previous block and stored.

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  Fig. 3. Distribution and agreement process of medical information transaction. The verification and agreement process for medical information transaction is shown. The patient’s identity verification process uses a public key-based structure that uses the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm. The public key-based structure is a method of managing passwords with a pair of private and public keys, and facilitates the encryption of private keys using chart numbers or resident registration numbers. Data encrypted using the private key can be decrypted by only using the paired public key.

Reference

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