Use Cases: Patient Verification and Controlled Data Sharing

Actor Profile

Rachel McGill, Patient Care Coordinator

Coordinates cancer clinical trial enrollment at the national cancer center. Paper-based processes delay patient access to experimental treatments during critical periods of health.

Business Context

Healthcare systems face significant inefficiencies in clinical trial enrollment caused by paper-based processes and manual verification. Cancer patients experience enrollment delays while facilities verify identities and medical histories. Medical record fragmentation creates redundant testing and errors. Privacy regulations require secure data handling, increasing administrative complexity. Researchers depend on accurate, timely patient data for recruitment and success.

Challenge Statement

Rachel must enroll cancer patients in clinical trials efficiently while verifying identities, confirming medical histories, and enabling secure data sharing among health authorities and researchers. Manual paper-based enrollment delays trial entry. Patients undergo redundant tests as different providers independently verify the same information. Medical record fragmentation creates information silos, limiting the accuracy of eligibility assessments. Paper-based transmission via fax creates security vulnerabilities and errors. Repeated authorization requests burden stressed patients.

Example Solution Architecture

Patient Identity Verification & Credential Issuance

  • Government-issued identification verification
  • Document validation confirms identification authenticity
  • Facial recognition confirms patient identity
  • Digital patient credential issued, establishing verified identity
  • Credential links to healthcare provider accounts and clinical records
  • Credential authentication is required for medical information access

Patient-Controlled Medical Information Repository

  • Centralized secure digital repository storing verified patient medical history and clinical information
  • Patient access controls determine who views specific records and data
  • Patients grant time-limited or permanent access to specific providers and researchers
  • Granular permissions enable selective sharing of specific records (labs, imaging, medications)
  • Access logging shows all parties viewing information with date and purpose
  • Patient revocation capability enables immediate withdrawal of access permissions

Medical Record Aggregation & Verification

  • Automated collection from multiple providers with patient authorization
  • Verification confirms records from legitimate healthcare institutions
  • Consolidated patient medical history reduces the need for redundant testing
  • Unified medication list prevents drug interactions and duplicate prescriptions
  • Laboratory result aggregation prevents unnecessary test repetition
  • Imaging and diagnostic report consolidation enables a comprehensive clinical review

Clinical Trial Eligibility Assessment

  • Pre-populates trial eligibility forms using verified patient medical information
  • Automated eligibility screening reduces manual assessment time
  • Real-time eligibility determination based on verified patient data
  • Elimination of redundant medical assessments and testing
  • Rapid identification of enrollment barriers enables patient counselling
  • Digital communication of eligibility results to patients and providers

Secure Multi-Provider Coordination

  • Verified information sharing among cancer centers, referring physicians, and researchers
  • Encrypted communication channels protect patient information
  • Coordinated care planning visible to authorized providers reduces miscommunication
  • Synchronized treatment information prevents conflicting medical decisions
  • Real-time updates reflect the latest clinical information
  • Audit trails document all provider access

Privacy-Preserving Researcher Data Access

  • De-identified data shared with researchers to protect privacy
  • Patient consent for research participation confirmed through verified authorization
  • Research study protocols are reviewed and approved before data access
  • Limited data set access prevents patient identification
  • Benefit-sharing agreements document the use of patient information use
  • Patient transparency regarding research participation and data usage

Compliance Documentation & Audit Trail

  • Automated documentation of patient consent and authorization decisions
  • Tamper-proof audit trail records all data access and information sharing
  • Regulatory compliance verification ensures adherence to privacy regulations
  • Real-time audit reports support institutional compliance monitoring
  • Documentation of data minimization ensures that only the necessary information is shared
  • Patient transparency reports show all data access and sharing activities

Implementation Considerations

Adoption Barriers

  • Patient concerns about online health information security and unauthorized access
  • Distrust of digital systems among patients who prefer traditional paper records
  • Healthcare providers’ concerns about system reliability affecting patient care
  • Administrative staff concerns about the technology learning curve
  • Researchers’ concerns about data access delays or bureaucratic complexity

Infrastructure Requirements

  • Secure patient identity verification platform
  • HIPAA/GDPR-compliant secure database
  • Encrypted communication channels for inter-provider transmission
  • Patient portal interface enabling authorization and access management
  • Integration with existing electronic health record (EHR) systems at multiple institutions
  • Real-time audit logging and monitoring
  • Backup systems ensure data availability during emergencies

Resource Constraints

  • Patient education and training on digital consent and authorization
  • Healthcare provider and staff training on the new enrollment workflow
  • Technical support for patients and providers
  • Integration connecting multiple institution EHR systems
  • Ongoing data governance and access management oversight
  • Compliance monitoring and audit preparation
  • Vendor management

Cost Considerations

  • Secure patient data platform and infrastructure investment
  • Integration with existing EHR systems across institutions
  • Patient portal development and mobile application support
  • Compliance and regulatory reporting infrastructure
  • Staff training and change management
  • Licensing and cloud service fees for secure storage
  • Technical support and maintenance

Stakeholder Considerations

  • Rachel & Cancer Center: Require streamlined enrollment, accurate patient data, reduced administrative burden, compliance assurance, patient safety and privacy protection
  • Patients & Caregivers: Value quick trial enrollment with minimal paperwork, need confidence in data security and privacy, appreciate transparency about information sharing, and prefer convenient digital access
  • Healthcare Providers: Require seamless EHR integration, benefit from coordinated patient information access, value reduced redundant testing, need transparent data governance and compliance, and appreciate efficient referral processes
  • Clinical Researchers: Require timely access to patient data, value data accuracy and completeness, need compliance with research protocols, appreciate reduced enrollment delays, and require patient privacy protection
  • Health Authorities & Regulatory Bodies: Require privacy regulation compliance, need audit capabilities for oversight, value transparent consent documentation, appreciate streamlined data sharing, demand data security assurance
  • Insurance & Financial Partners: Require verified patient information for coverage determination, value accurate medical history, benefit from reduced claim disputes, appreciate transparent data handling, and need privacy assurance

Benefits & Value Delivery

Risk Mitigation

  • Prevents unauthorized medical record access through patient identity verification
  • Verified consent documentation protects institutions from privacy violations
  • Audit trails document all access, enabling rapid incident investigation
  • Encrypted data transmission prevents interception and unauthorized access
  • Tamper-proof records protect data integrity and regulatory compliance

Data Protection & Privacy

  • Encrypted sensitive patient health information
  • Patient-controlled access permissions ensure information is shared only with authorization
  • Minimal data sharing ensures only the necessary information is accessed
  • Secure deletion when the patient revokes access
  • HIPAA, GDPR, and other privacy regulation compliance
  • Transparent data handling practices build patient trust

Accessibility & Service Expansion

  • Rapid trial enrollment enables faster patient access to experimental treatments
  • Elimination of redundant testing reduces patient burden and healthcare costs
  • Coordinated care enables participation in multiple trials or provider coordination
  • Geographic accessibility enables patients in different regions to participate
  • Language accessibility through digital translation and communication
  • Improved access for patients with mobility or transportation constraints

Operational Efficiency

  • Automated enrollment processes reduce administrative burden and timelines
  • Pre-populated forms eliminate manual data entry and transcription errors
  • Rapid eligibility determination reduces assessment and approval delays
  • Coordinated provider communication reduces miscommunication and delays
  • Reduced redundant testing saves healthcare resources and costs
  • Streamlined compliance documentation reduces audit preparation burden

Competitive Advantage

  • Positions the cancer center as modern, patient-focused, and efficient
  • Differentiates through faster enrollment and superior patient experience
  • Attracts patients seeking convenient trial participation options
  • Demonstrates commitment to data security and patient privacy
  • Attracts researchers through efficient trial enrollment processes

Example Success Metrics

  • Trial enrollment time reduced 60%+
  • Patient redundant testing has been eliminated completely
  • Enrollment process completion accuracy 99%+
  • Patient satisfaction >90%
  • Regulatory compliance documentation completion <24 hours

Relevant DIACC PCTF Components

  • Authentication: Multi-factor authentication via government ID and facial recognition
  • Verified Person: Verification of patient identity, establishing eligibility to access healthcare services and participating in clinical trials
  • Notice & Consent: Clear patient communication regarding medical information sharing, data access, research participation, and privacy protections
  • Privacy: Patient health information protection through encryption, access controls, audit logging, and regulatory compliance
  • Verified Organization: Verification of healthcare providers, research institutions, and health authorities