Remotely Monitoring Medical Refrigerators and Freezers
With Cellular and LoRaWAN Solutions from MCA
As soon as COVID-19 vaccines became available, public and private medical organizations nationwide began contacting the CNS team at MCA to help further their agencies' efforts to fight the coronavirus. One of the biggest challenges they faced was networking dozens of mobile and pop-up vaccination facilities across their jurisdictions quickly, efficiently, and with monitoring equipment to protect the integrity and stability of the vaccines.
For example, the Moderna Vaccine needs to stay in freezers between -25 °C and 15°C (- 13°F and 5°F). Once ready for use, they can be moved to refrigerators and stored between 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F) for up to 30 days, and then must be discarded. Once removed from refrigeration, technicians have twelve hours to use or dispose of them (following Moderna guidelines). Unfortunately, many vaccine doses were going bad before medical technicians could use them, and facilities needed a solution to monitor fixed and portable refrigeration units remotely.
Vaccine management isn’t the only issue healthcare workers must contend with. Pharmacies - whether they’re retail or in care facilities such as hospitals or nursing homes - face similar challenges in storing antibiotics and other temperature-sensitive medications.
The Challenge of Preventing Medication Spoilage
As each medication manufacturer has different requirements and shelf lives, health departments and pharmacy teams must track which refrigeration units contain which medications to ensure they maintain the specific temperature levels manufacturers require.
Similarly, hospitals and retail pharmacies must monitor refrigeration units to prevent spoilage of antibiotics and other medications. Improper temperature control, power outages, and human errors can lead to significant losses in medication efficacy.
Our client - Optimus Health Care (OHC) - wanted to prevent these issues from occurring during their own vaccine deployment efforts.
The CNS team within MCA can provide your healthcare organization with the end-to-end communications solutions it needs to support the success of your mobile and fixed medication refrigeration facilities.
MCA can provide your healthcare organization the end-to-end communications solutions it needs to support the success of your fixed, pop-up, and mobile medical facilities.
Wi-Fi Sensors for Remotely Monitoring Medical Assets
Enabled by Cradlepoint Routers and Monnit Sensors
Traditionally, pharmacies have relied on manual temperature monitoring methods, which can be prone to inconsistencies, inaccuracies, and limited operational hours where no one is present to record the temperature. However, pharmacies and public health officials are now embracing automated temperature monitoring systems to address these limitations.
Temperature monitoring systems employ wireless sensors to track environmental conditions within pharmacy storage areas. By leveraging wireless networks, these sensors can continuously monitor temperature levels and - in some cases - take humidity measurements. When temperature readings deviate from predefined thresholds, these systems are designed to generate automated alerts. This proactive approach enables pharmacy staff to intervene and rectify issues quickly before medications have adverse effects.
After researching the challenges associated with proper medication and vaccine storage, OHC and the CNS team at MCA devised a solution to prevent and reduce the loss of vital supplies.
OHC suggested combining remote sensors and cellular routers to create a single all-in-one solution for remote refrigeration monitoring needs. The CNS team at MCA helped the customer utilize temperature sensors from Monnit for smaller mobile units and linked them with a 4G Cradlepoint IBR200 router. For larger units containing more supplies, the team suggested using multiple temperature, power, and door-seal monitoring sensors tied to Cradlepoint IBR600C routers.
Cradlepoint IBR200 Compact Routers
The IBR200 cellular router - with embedded CAT 1 modem, WiFi, and passive GPS capabilities - is fast and reliable enough to link up with a single sensor, making it ideal for monitoring applications that require a single connected device and servicing OHC's connectivity needs.
Since it’s one of the more streamlined routers available, it was deployed to monitor the temperatures of small refrigerators and freezers.
Cradlepoint IBR600C Semi Ruggedized Routers
For monitoring applications that required multiple connected devices, the ideal endpoint to service OHC's connectivity needs was the IBR600C. It’s capable of delivering a faster connection and the expanded Wi-Fi functionality that more important freezer units require, and it’s also a more robust device.
For this reason, it was deployed to monitor temperature levels, power outages, and door activity of larger refrigerators and freezers containing high vaccine doses remotely. Additionally, with its dual SIM functionality and auto carrier selection, it can ensure continuous connectivity with cellular failover.
Instant Notifications and Reliable Remote Monitoring
With all sensors and routers in place, the OHC IT team can remotely monitor every refrigeration unit under their control in permanent and temporary locations from a single desktop in their offices or a smart device on the road.
With NetCloud IoT services, they can register, configure, and update their routers over-the-air. And with sensor software, they can remotely manage each sensor similarly.
Today, their team receives instant notifications whenever a unit door is opened and closed, when a door stays open for too long, if a loss in power occurs, and if temperatures fluctuate outside of predefined limits. OHC’s operations are finely tuned.
LoRa Sensors for Remotely Monitoring Medical Assets
Enabled by MultiTech Conduit Gateways, Base Stations, and Sensors
While the CNS team at MCA initially deployed the Cradlepoint solution for OHC, additional solution options are available. With multiple options to choose from, our team can work with customers to find a solution that meets their unique needs and budgetary requirements.
MultiTech Radio Bridge Wireless Sensors
Among the leading providers of temperature monitoring solutions is MultiTech’s Radio Bridge. Their suite of temperature monitoring sensors, powered by LoRaWAN® wireless technology, offers unparalleled benefits for pharmacy environments. These sensors boast exceptional wireless penetration capabilities, effortlessly traversing walls and floors while maintaining extensive coverage range.
Additionally - and conveniently - they feature remote configuration capabilities that enhance operational efficiency. If temperature differentials surpass preset thresholds, these sensors can seamlessly integrate with the monitoring system to dispatch real-time alerts, ensuring timely intervention and safeguarding medication integrity.
MultiTech Conduit 300 Lora Gateway
The MultiTech Conduit® 300 Series programmable gateway streamlines edge-to-cloud orchestration, management, and analytics. With its high-performance, secure processor, the device effortlessly supports Dockers and containers, facilitating easy programmability while seamlessly integrating with many well-known IoT software platforms.
Additionally, it's designed to accommodate LoRaWAN mCards, enabling support for thousands of MultiTech mDot and xDot long-range RF modules. These modules efficiently connect to remote sensors and appliances, such as medication refrigerators, enhancing overall functionality.
Case Study Download
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About MCA and Our CNS Team
data, and security solutions that enhance the quality, safety, and productivity of customers, operations, and lives. More than 65,000 customers trust MCA to provide carefully researched solutions for a safe, secure, and more efficient workplace.
Our Cellular Networking Solutions (CNS) team (formerly known as CNS team at MCA) is made up of certified experts in designing and deploying fixed and mobile wireless data connectivity solutions for public and private enterprises nationwide - complete with implementation, training, proof of concept (POC), system auditing, and on-site RF surveying services with optional engineering maintenance contracts.
Our extensive catalog of world-class routers, gateways, and software designed for remote monitoring and management in even the harshest environments allows us to deliver a full suite of reliable technologies capped with a service-first approach.
Reach out to MCA today to rapidly deploy cellular solutions that meet your healthcare organizations' specific asset monitoring needs:
- Give Us a Call: (919) 942-4214
- Send Us an Email: cnsinfo@callmc.com
- Request a Consultant: Click Here
Recommended Equipment for Medical Supply Monitoring
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