NFC-Based Model for Health Information Portability Research

This research paper explores the potential of Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology to enhance health information portability, addressing the limitations of current Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems. The study investigates the issues within the healthcare industry, including data breaches and interoperability challenges, and proposes an NFC-based model as a solution. The methodology includes an explanatory research design and qualitative data collection to identify gaps in the EMR system. The paper details the design, architecture, and system flow of the NFC model, comparing it to other technologies and presenting experimental results. It also covers system testing, implementation, and provides recommendations for future research. The research highlights the benefits of NFC in improving patient data transfer, security, and overall healthcare management. The document is a research report submitted to the University of Derby Online Learning.

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NFC-BASED MODEL FOR HEALTH PORTABILITY 1
NEAR-FIELD COMMUNICATION BASED-MODEL FOR HEALTH INFORMATION
PORTABILITY
By (Name)
(Course’s Name)
(Tutor’s Name)
(University’s Name)
(Date)

NFC-BASED MODEL FOR HEALTH PORTABILITY 2
PLAGIARISM DECLARATION STATEMENT
I am aware that plagiarism means using and taking ideas, works, writings, or intentions of
other scholar. Due to this my research paper has accurately referenced research and works done
by others using Harvard style. I have followed, the conventions and rules concerning Harvard
referencing, citation as set out in pout department guide

NFC-BASED MODEL FOR HEALTH PORTABILITY 3
ABSTRACT
Near Field Communication (NFC) is a technology that enables communication between
two devices. This can be a great concept in the healthcare sector as it can enable the stakeholders
in this sector to carry medical data when visiting any healthcare facility. Currently, the health
sector is utilizing Electronic medical record systems (EMR) to manage medical data. First
EMRs are vulnerable to hacking, which means that medical data can fall into wrong hands. This
shows that there is a lack of a clear technological solution in the health care industry, especially
for Health information Portability. NFC technology is the best solution to these issues; the
technology presents a new dimension such that any medical object can be turned into a digital
data point which is able to transfer information to all NFC enabled devices.
This research has utilized an explanatory research design to help in highlighting the
current issues with health information systems. In addition, the research paper has also utilized a
qualitative methodology to identify the current gaps in the EMR system. The research paper has
five major sections.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

NFC-BASED MODEL FOR HEALTH PORTABILITY 4
PLAGIARISM DECLARATION STATEMENT...........................................................................2
ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................................3
Table of figures................................................................................................................................7
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................8
1.1 Introduction to the project......................................................................................................8
1.2 Problem statement..................................................................................................................9
1.3 Aims and objectives of the project.........................................................................................9
1.4 Research questions.................................................................................................................9
1.5 Scope....................................................................................................................................10
1.6 Justification of this research study.......................................................................................10
1.7 Project limitations................................................................................................................11
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.......................................................................................12
2.0 Introduction..........................................................................................................................12
2.1 Some of the issues in the healthcare industry......................................................................12
2.2 Electronic Medical Record (EMR)......................................................................................13
2.3. Issues with EMR.................................................................................................................14
2.4 Barriers to technology adoption in the healthcare industry.................................................15
2.5 Research gap........................................................................................................................16
2.6 An overview of NFC technology.........................................................................................17
CHAPTER 3: DESIGN AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY..................................................19

NFC-BASED MODEL FOR HEALTH PORTABILITY 5
3.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................19
3.2 Research methodology.........................................................................................................19
3.3 Data collection method........................................................................................................19
3.4 Independent and dependent variables..................................................................................21
3.5 Design and architecture of the project.................................................................................21
3.6 NFC system architecture......................................................................................................22
3.7 System flow..........................................................................................................................25
3.8 Use case diagram.................................................................................................................26
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION............................................................................29
4.0 Introduction..........................................................................................................................29
4.1 Background of secondary data.............................................................................................29
4.2 Some of the issues faced in the health industry sector.........................................................30
4.3 The current challenges faced with EMR system..................................................................32
4.4 NFC technology as the solution...........................................................................................33
4.4.1 Comparison between NFC technology and other technologies....................................33
4.5 Satisfaction of NFC system use...........................................................................................35
4.6 Experiments results..............................................................................................................36
4.7 Features of the NFC technology..........................................................................................37
CHAPTER 5: SYSTEM TESTING AND IMPLEMENTATION................................................39
5.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................39

NFC-BASED MODEL FOR HEALTH PORTABILITY 6
5.2 System testing......................................................................................................................39
5.2 1. Testing..........................................................................................................................40
5.2.2 Testing NFC set-up.......................................................................................................41
5.3 Implementation....................................................................................................................42
CHAPTER 6: RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION....................................................43
6.1 Conclusions..........................................................................................................................43
6.2 Recommendations................................................................................................................43
6.3 Suggestions for future research............................................................................................44
References......................................................................................................................................46

NFC-BASED MODEL FOR HEALTH PORTABILITY 7
Table of figures
Figure 1: Reported cases of data breaches.....................................................................................12
Figure 2: EMR block diagram.......................................................................................................13
Figure 3: Current EMR technology...............................................................................................16
Figure 4: Information flow diagram..............................................................................................17
Figure 6: Data collection methods.................................................................................................19
Figure 7: Adopted methodology design........................................................................................22
Figure 8: NFC System architecture...............................................................................................23
Figure 9: NFC tag exchange of information..................................................................................24
Figure 10: Follow of information..................................................................................................25
Figure 11: Interface of the android phone.....................................................................................25
Figure 12: Use case diagram..........................................................................................................27
Figure 13: NFC component diagram.............................................................................................27
Figure 14: Pareto analysis graph ...................................................................................................31
Figure 15: Simple Polling set-up for NFC enabled devices .........................................................40

NFC-BASED MODEL FOR HEALTH PORTABILITY 8
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction to the project
Healthcare has a lot of patient and incredible diagnostic imaging technologies from 3D
heart MRIs to CT scans which makes the industry possible to treat diseases which are deemed
undetectable. Unfortunately, this data and imaging technologies are only accessible via siloed
imaging informatics systems and local EMRs which are unhelpful, non-interoperable, and
unintuitive. There are several reasons as to why health portability has not been implemented by
various health facilities; one of the major reasons is lack of federal rules, resistance to change by
the health stakeholders and to make an investment based on health standards. In addition, there is
a lack of technology that is standardized and is able to facilitate interoperability and health
portability.
It is also important to note that one of the crucial concepts in the health sector is health
information portability. Over twenty years ago, the US congress enacted HIPAA; this was the
starting point of health information portability which is the ability to store health data or
information in a medium and the data or the information is again moved by HIPPA act which
was designed specifically to protect health information. Example of health information, in this
case, is patients’ blood group, past medical histories, allergies to drugs and others. The elephant
issue here is why can’t heath facilities depend on patients moving on with data from one health
facility to another without the need for repetitive questions of patients’ previous medical
histories (Onyancha, 2016).
In lieu of this, a great number of systems have been developed. This started with paper-
based health information systems. Here information about a patient was stored in a paper where
the patient was required to always move with the paper from one health facility to the next. This

NFC-BASED MODEL FOR HEALTH PORTABILITY 9
brought the issue of loss of paper by a patient. Then came the current and widely used EMR
which will later be discussed in the paper it faced with various issues such as security. This
means health information portability is indeed one of the major requirements in the healthcare
industry as it aids patient management and diagnosis. In addition, health information is a critical
component and cannot be openly shared with anyone. This research explores some issues
currently being faced widely in the healthcare industry, the current issues faced by the EMR
system, and proposes a solution to these issues that is NFC technology
1.2 Problem statement
Healthcare is an important pillar meaning that lack of a technological solution for health
information portability can be tough for the health sector. The solution here is to have an NFC
technology with an NFC card where a patient carries their information using the NFC card which
enables health information portability.
Project rational
1.3 Aims and objectives of the project
The objectives of this research are:
 Reviewing the effectiveness of NFC with the EMR system and android phones
 Reviewing health information records architecture
 Developing NFC technology architecture
 Reviewing NFC technology architecture
1.4 Research questions
 What are some of the issues faced in the health industry sector?
 What the current challenges faced with the EMR system?
 What is the best solution to the current issues faced in the health care industry?

NFC-BASED MODEL FOR HEALTH PORTABILITY 10
1.5 Scope
Data collected in this project is based on secondary data not on primary data. The amount
of data stored in the NFC tag is limited only to the most crucial data that is required by the
patient and the doctor.
1.6 Justification of this research study
Health is one of the most important development pillars across the world. Continent such
as Africa has not implemented technology in health care are faced with numerous challenges.
For example, there are over seven billion mobile phones across the world. By 2014 mobile
technology reached a global penetration of 96 percent. This means that technology can assist in
solving some of the issues faced in the healthcare industry. Also, it is important to note that since
the emergence of the EMR system it has assisted in marking a great improvement of the health
care sector. For example, EMR technology has improved treatment and diagnosis. Also with
EMR system, it has resulted in fewer errors as compared to a paper-based system. It has also
resulted in faster health care and decision-making process from the various medical
professionals. This means with this research which has proposed an improved as compared to
NFC technology. It will result in the quicker ability of transferring patients’ data from one
department to another and one from one health facility to another. In addition, it will also result
in scalable and customizable electronic medical records. Lastly, with the high penetration of
mobile phones, there is a great opportunity that the health sector will benefit from it as most of
mobile phones are NFC enables and are portable.

NFC-BASED MODEL FOR HEALTH PORTABILITY 11
1.7 Project limitations
One of the limitations of this study is that data is to be entered by the various health
service providers, not the patient. Second, this research relies on the current EMR system to enter
information but it is stored on an NFC card, not the EMR database. Third, this research does not
cover all the aspects of patients’ information