National e-health system
The eHealth system represents one of the largest ongoing HL7 FHIR projects globally. It guarantees access to high-quality, verified data regarding all parties involved in delivering medical services through a REST API. Recognizing the importance of the information these entities handle, robust measures have been implemented to safeguard against data breaches. The system also employs electronic digital signatures and blockchain-like algorithms to maintain data integrity and security.
However, many healthcare institutions in Ukraine still rely on an antiquated Soviet-era data management system designed in the 1960s. Additionally, clinical registries are outdated and stored in physical archives. The national infrastructure is deficient, lacking a population registry, adequate ICT capabilities, and a viable financial model for digitization efforts. Furthermore, there is a significant gap in computer literacy among general practitioners, with only about 7% of healthcare facilities utilizing electronic health record (EHR) solutions, all of which are privately operated.
The ultimate aim of the eHealth initiative is to be a pivotal starting point for the full digitization of the Ukrainian healthcare system. The process entails several key steps:
1. Developing a central component and open API to connect all Medical Information Systems (MIS) and support the Primary Healthcare (PHC) e-prescription program.
2. Advancing support for secondary and tertiary healthcare, along with fully anonymous monitoring.
3. Currently, we are focusing on establishing a patient portal, care plans, and handling sensitive patient information (such as data related to AIDS) while ensuring interoperability through HL7 FHIR for data storage and using ICPC-2 methodology for primary care. Additionally, blockchain solutions are implemented for data storage and machine learning for data deduplication, all while ensuring secure access to medical records.