Blockchain-Based Health Information Systems to Improve Data Security

Abstract

Healthcare services are dependent on health information systems (HIS), which enable health data collection and storage with improved management of healthcare service provision. However, several data security weaknesses in HIS have been identified by various studies in Tanzania. The majority are on data and information exchange leading to breaches of system security. In order to reduce security threats and accomplish security objectives (i.e., confidentiality, integrity, availability), disruptive technologies like blockchain must be used to address security breaches, attacks, and vulnerabilities of HISs. In this chapter, a problem-solving technique with digital innovative solutions for addressing real-world problems was used to arrive at the problem's solution. This chapter then shows how the data security weakness of HISs can be improved using the hyper-ledger blockchain. The system was virtually integrated with an existing HIS. Data storage security was attained through private data collection to meet security goals.