Using Smart Contracts for Blood Test Results

Abstract

Problem: Blood test results have a vast number of varying parameters. Currently, existing EHR systems do not provide a data representation format with varying data structures to support this. EHR systems while claiming to be decentralized still possess some form of a centralized aspect which only makes them partially decentralized. If they are decentralized they will naturally use smart contracts for their dapp. Smart contracts do not have varying data structures to efficiently store blood test results as parameter variation will only cause changes in the smart contract which lead to redeployment of it in the blockchain. This project focuses on achieving a collective solution to these problems. Methodology: Research was conducted on selecting a suitable data representation format to use inside the smart contract which can have an implementation of a varying data structure. This data representation format can be used to have dynamic additions of blood test result parameters since they vary from blood test to blood test. This is then to be evaluated to verify if the smart contract does not have to be edited again for the newly added blood test result parameters. Initial results: The initial proof of concept was developed with the capability of handling varying blood test results parameters. All the must have functional requirements were achieved in this proof of concept. Multiple blood test results with different parameters were entered to test the application and there was no need for a new smart contract deployment.