An integrated system of Blockchain with AL-SHIFA 3+ Healthcare Information System (HIS) in Oman.

Abstract

Al-SHIFA 3+ is a healthcare information system (HIS) introduced by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Oman in 2015, with the aim of automating all the healthcare management processes in healthcare institutions including electronic medical records, assets, inventory, and HR management, and replacing all the paper charts used in intra-departmental communication with Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE). Currently, this system in The Sultanate of Oman is benefiting around 85% of public healthcare seekers. However, the security of the system is a great concern, since any security gap can be exploited by attackers, therefore violating the confidentiality and integrity of patients’ data. This research paper proposes integrating Blockchain technology with AL-SHIFA 3+ Healthcare Information System (HIS) in Oman, to ensure secure data access and transmission between healthcare entities. Blockchain is a technology that uses cryptographic hash functions to encrypt and secure the information that is stored in blocks, where each block is connected to the previous one in the form of chains making it tamper-proof as well as protecting it from ransomware and other cyberattacks. Thus, by implementing blockchain technology, information can be shared securely among authorized medical staff to help them make critical decisions that will improve the quality of the given healthcare services. This paper will show how to set up a blockchain environment, and the used software platforms, as well as the benefits of integrating blockchain technology with AL-SHIFA 3+ HIS along with its limitations and challenges that are likely to be faced while implementing this technology.