Blockchain platform VeChain (VET) has updated the E-HCert App so that it may go beyond maintaining COVID-19 records while onboarding another hospital based in Cyprus.
As mentioned in a blog post by VeChain, the Coronavirus crisis has shown the world the true value of digital technologies and it has also demonstrated their “increasingly vital role in healthcare.”
During this past year, VeChain, along with I-Dante, worked cooperatively on blockchain-based medical solutions. Both organizations helped with developing the E-HCert App — which is described as an archival solution for COVID-19 RT-PCR and antibody test records.
As confirmed by the VeChain team:
“[A new] solution was implemented at the Mediterranean Hospital of Cyprus and between June to August 2020, recorded the test results of more than 8,000 people who subsequently used them as part of the flight arrival process at the International Airport of Larnaca.”
The VeChain development team also noted:
“Driven by proven value in a real world setting, the E-HCert App is now launching its latest iteration; a Digital Lab Test Wallet offering an ecosystem of blockchain-enabled services, bringing medical test results to the hands of patients whilst healthcare authorities maintain the integrity of the data.”
After proving its efficacy at the Mediterranean Hospital of Cyprus, another private medical facility, Aretaeio Hospital, has reportedly joined the VeChain ecosystem by integrating the E-HCert App throughout its lab testing services, the announcement confirmed.
The hospital laboratories of Cyprus regularly produce large amounts of data, such as extensive paper trails for lab test results for patients. The system relies on the existing Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) solution that assists medical specialists with managing data produced from a series of complex tests and activities.
According to VeChain, the existing processes have “multiple deficiencies.” For instance, the patient reportedly needs to wait several days for the completion of different tests before being able to receive their results. The hospital laboratory also needs to contact the patient, provide physical test results while the patient needs to keep a hard copy of their results in good condition so that they can access healthcare services in the future.
As healthcare systems continue to undergo various integrations with modern digital tools, the “need for compliance with data privacy policies such as GDPR becomes increasingly vital,” the VeChain management team noted. They added that patients “need a legally compliant, private and secure method to view and share their own health information.”
VeChain claims:
“Blockchain technology represents the best opportunity to radically reshape the current paradigm and change the delivery of healthcare, test results, therapeutics, diagnostics as well as advance the process and security of information exchange between parties.”
They also mentioned that E-HCert represents a new type or category of healthcare record system that “combines interoperability, immutability, traceability and compliance.” VeChain’s management further noted that for Aretaeio Hospital, after the patient completes a lab test, the results are automatically uploaded to the E-HCert app and the VeChainThor public blockchain.
The VeChain team added:
“Built on VeChainThor Blockchain, the E-HCert wallet can be securely accessed using private credentials given to the patient after a registration process in the Hospital. Once complete, the data is readily accessible to its owner, available for use to prove his or her health status as required.”
(Note: for more information on this update, check here.)