AN ENHANCED SECURE DISTRIBUTED LEDGER INTEROPERABILITY FRAMEWORK FOR MEDICAL SYSTEMS

Abstract

Absence of consistent data formats and strong protocols in the current medical systems pose significant challenges to accomplishing interoperability. This study developed an enhanced secure Distributed Ledger (DL) interoperability framework as a solution to problems that impede interoperability of medical systems. The aim of the developed framework was to close gaps in the structure and meaning of data shared across medical systems so that it may be exchanged securely and consistently across various platforms. The goals of the study included determining the elements that contribute to safe interoperability; developing a secure framework for the exchange of medical data; verifying the proposed framework, and inventing an algorithm to strengthen security in DL interoperability frameworks. The study followed a mixed methods research design, incorporating systematic literature review, descriptive study and experimentation techniques to meet its objectives. The purpose of the systematic review and collection of qualitative and quantitative data was to provide insights into medical systems interoperability trends. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 28 and MS Excel. MAXQDA tool was used to analyze Qualitative data. The results are presented in tables, frequency tables, graphs and charts. The findings revealed that technical, semantic, structural and security are key factors that affect medical systems interoperability. Defined data formats and protocols are some of the fundamental components required for secure data sharing across various medical systems. The research solves many issues affecting secure data transmission across medical systems by developing an algorithm to fortify security in DT interoperability frameworks. Robust security elements are included in the secure framework for DL interoperability that has been built. Consensus, smart contracts, and data security layers are all part of the Master Medical DLT core. For standardized data formats and diagnostics, the framework incorporates standards such as HL7 FHIR, CDISC, ICD, and LOINC. Using administrative module in the framework, healthcare institutions may be accredited as nodes by regulatory organizations. Medical DLT Portal, API, and EMR system facilitate secure exchange of patient data in this framework. The study carried out validation processes to confirm that it can close current gaps in the existing medical systems, and guarantee safe interchange of medical data. The conclusions stress the need for medical systems to be standardized and secure interoperable, and emphasizes revolutionary structure of the created framework. The findings of the study will support policy recommendations for improvement of medical systems, and constant improvement of interoperability within medical systems.