Gateway To...
The Outside World

At Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, eight Gateway PCs link the bone marrow unit isolation rooms and playroom. Of course hospitals use computers all the time, but what makes these special is that they aren't used for storing data, crunching numbers and printing reports. Here you'll find an electronic playground, designed to help young patients cope with their illnesses and social isolation.

"This program is very important in terms of recuperation," said Dr. Morris Kletzel, head of the Bone Marrow Transplant Team at Children's Memorial. "The computers take the children's minds off their pain and isolation by allowing them to play and learn."

Modeled after a similar installation at Boston Children's Hospital, the program began as a dream for Kletzel three years ago. Last May the dream was realized when seven computers from Gateway 2000 were donated by Ameritech, a communications company based in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. The number of Gateway computers in use rose to eight when an extra PC was added to the playroom.

Currently there are four children in the bone marrow transplant unit, ranging in age from 2 to 15. Because their immunity to disease is suppressed following a bone marrow transplant, the patients are confined to special isolation rooms to protect against infection. Visitation is significantly limited, and the children may stay in isolation for up to six weeks. The computers ease the difficult situation, making time spent in isolation a little more pleasant for the young patients.

"This (isolation) is very rough for children, especially teenagers. The computer system expands the boundaries of their world," said Courtney Jamieson, Hematology/Oncology Child Life Specialist and coordinator of the bone marrow transplant computer system. The eight interconnected computer terminals allow patients to talk to each other through e-mail and access to the Internet. They can also play games by themselves, with each other and with visitors. Parents use the Gateway PCs to communicate with their children, provide mutual support to other parents in the unit and keep in touch with the office.

The computers themselves are fully equipped with the latest technology, including speakers, CD-ROM drives and even small video cameras mounted on top of the terminals to allow young patients to "see" each other. Software donated by Microsoft provides hours of educational entertainment, such as learning about the human body, nature and the solar system. More adventurous patients can take off into the clouds with flight simulators and create their own 3-D adventures.

What does the future hold for the bone marrow transplant unit at Children's Memorial? Kletzel hopes to use interactive video technology to connect the hospital and schools so the children won't miss class. Children's Memorial hopes the program will become a model for other Midwestern hospitals. And although they're less than thrilled with the idea of homework, the kids are hoping for even more cool software!