Scott Nicholas
The Department of Health and Human Services‘ Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has unveiled the winners of the “Use of Blockchain in Health IT and Health-related Research Challenge.”
HHS said Monday winning papers were selected based on criteria that included proposed systems and recommendations for market viability, capacity to inform and foster transformative change, creativity and potential to support national health and health information objectives.
“While many know about Blockchain technology’s uses for digital currency purposes, the challenge submissions show its exciting potential for new, innovative uses in health care,” said Vindell Washington, national health IT coordinator.
ONC selected the winners out of 70 submissions received from individuals, organizations and companies that worked to discover ways that Blockchain technology can support healthcare IT systems to protect, manage and exchange electronic health information.
Winners include submissions from:
- Accenture
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Blockchain Futures Lab
- Deloitte
- Health Services Research & Development
- IBM
- Mayo Clinic
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- National Quality Forum
- University of California San Diego
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System
HHS added it will post remaining submissions to the HealthIT.gov website on Sept. 26 in conjunction with the two-day “Use of Blockchain for Healthcare and Research” workshop to be co-hosted by ONC and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
