Blockchain E-Prescription Security via Permissioned Ledger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic prescription systems face issues such as prescription loss, duplication, and inefficiencies in transfer between pharmacies, lacking direct patient access and secure record-keeping, which can lead to delays and errors, especially with controlled substances.
Innovation Solution
A blockchain-based system that securely generates, transfers, and manages electronic prescriptions by using a network of permissioned peers and a third-party server to create a secure digital record on the patient's device, allowing direct patient access and ownership, with features like nonce-based hashing for security and real-time updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic prescriptions are sent from medical institutions to pharmacies, then security and transcription error reduction are improved, but prescription loss and transfer inefficiencies occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a blockchain network as an intermediary between medical institutions and pharmacies. The blockchain serves as a decentralized mediator that records prescription transactions immutably, allowing patients to track and verify prescription status without relying on a single central authority. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining security through cryptographic verification while preventing prescription loss through distributed ledger technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where patients receive real-time notifications about prescription status through the mobile application. The blockchain provides transparent tracking feedback, allowing patients to verify prescription delivery and status independently. This feedback loop eliminates information loss by ensuring all parties have visibility into prescription transfer status.
2Productivity
If electronic prescriptions are transferred between pharmacies, then prescription filling efficiency is improved, but duplication and transfer errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses cryptographic copying where the prescription data is replicated across multiple nodes in the blockchain network. Each pharmacy receives an identical cryptographic copy of the prescription record, eliminating transfer errors. The immutable blockchain ensures that the copied prescription data remains consistent and accurate across all participating pharmacies.
Solution Approach 2:
The blockchain acts as an intermediary that manages prescription transfers between pharmacies. Instead of direct pharmacy-to-pharmacy transfers that can introduce errors, the blockchain mediates the transfer process, verifying and recording each transaction. This intermediary layer ensures accurate and efficient prescription filling while preventing duplication through centralized ledger management.
3Ease of operation
If prescriptions are sent to pharmacies before patient arrival, then patient convenience is improved, but prescriptions may be lost or delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile application provides real-time feedback to patients about prescription status, allowing them to track when prescriptions are sent to pharmacies and when they are ready for pickup. This transparency improves patient convenience while maintaining reliability through continuous status verification and notification systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The blockchain serves as a reliable intermediary that guarantees prescription delivery between medical institutions and pharmacies. The immutable ledger ensures that once a prescription is sent, it cannot be lost or delayed without record. Patients can verify delivery status through the blockchain, combining convenience with enhanced reliability.
4Productivity
If a centralized system manages electronic prescriptions, then system coordination is improved, but single points of failure and security vulnerabilities occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized prescription management system into multiple decentralized nodes distributed across the blockchain network. Each node (medical institution, pharmacy, patient device) operates independently but coordinates through the shared ledger. This segmentation eliminates single points of failure while maintaining system coordination through cryptographic consensus mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional centralized architecture to a multi-dimensional distributed network. The blockchain adds temporal and spatial dimensions, allowing prescriptions to be tracked across multiple locations and time points simultaneously. This dimensional expansion improves both coordination efficiency and system availability by distributing functionality across the network.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a system and method for medical providers to give electronic prescriptions (“eRx”) to patients. When an eRx is generated by a medical provider, a blockchain is initiated that stores all the information of the eRx. This eRx is given to the patient on their digital storage device. The eRx can be provided to a permissioned peer, such as a pharmacy, whereby the permissioned peer is able to confirm the authenticity of the eRx.