Design and Implementation of an Accurate and Simple Remote Medical Store Monitoring System Using ESP32 Microcontroller-Based Wi-Fi and IoT Technology

Medical storage systems are essential for ensuring the safety and efficacy of sensitive medical products such as pharmaceuticals and vaccines. These systems must maintain optimal environmental conditions, especially temperature, humidity, and security, to prevent spoilage and preserve product quality. However, conventional monitoring methods often rely on manual supervision and periodic inspections, which can result in human error, inefficiencies, and delayed responses to environmental changes. This study presents the design and validation of a smart, low-power medical storage monitoring system to overcome the limitations of traditional methods by providing real-time, remote oversight. An ESP32 microcontroller was integrated with temperature, humidity, and gas sensors to monitor the storage environment continuously. The system leverages Wi-Fi and Internet of Things (IoT) technology for remote data access and sends immediate mobile notifications upon detecting motion or anomalous environmental conditions. A camera was also incorporated to record video for enhanced security when detecting motion. The system's temperature readings demonstrated high accuracy, with a linear slope of 1.0636 and a y-intercept of -1.9545 when validated against a reference thermometer across a 20°C to 30°C range. A high coefficient of determination, R 2 value of 0.9681, confirms that the system's measurements account for 96.81% of the variance in the reference values. Consistency assessments at intervals from 30 to 150 minutes revealed minimal fluctuations, with standard deviations of 0°C to 0.55°C for temperature, 0% to 1.64% RH for humidity, and 0% to 0.55% for gas levels of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as CO2, indicating high stability. The entire system operates with a low power consumption of 3W. The developed IoT-based monitoring system offers a highly accurate, stable, and cost-effective solution for medical storage. Its real-time monitoring and alert capabilities significantly enhance the safety, efficacy, and security of stored medical products compared to conventional methods.