by KATIE MEHR

July 4, 2004

Worried parents at their children's bedsides during hospital stays have a new friend: the "Pediatric Virtual Office," introduced recently at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip.

And the children who find themselves in a hospital bed can find some comfort: The stations at each bed offer computer games and Internet access, too.

The 32 virtual offices, one for each bed in the pediatric ward, give parents the ability to continue to work via fax and e-mail without leaving their children, and could keep siblings occupied while their parents visit. But they also are there to take young patients' minds off their hospital stays.

Each "office" includes a phone, fax, copier, scanner and LCD monitor, said hospital spokeswoman Laura Meehan. Laptops are available at the nurse's station for patients and parents, Meehan said. For tracking purposes and infection control, the nurses sign out the computers after recording the names and room number of whoever checks them out.

They were donated by Bob Venero, the president of Future Tech Enterprise, a Holbrook-based technology company. Venero, a 35-year-old father of three from Bayport, volunteers at the hospital's pediatric ward.

"I see a lot when I am in the hospital doing things," Venero said. "I see pain and I see the parents. I put myself in their position and asked, 'What if I was that person? How much would it hurt my family if I was the only source of income?' I've seen how it affected their lives and family they are away from."

The 32 workstations, unveiled last month, cost about $100,000, said Shannon Mellosi, director of marketing at Future Tech. The company picked up the initial bill, and will pay monthly Internet charges, among other costs.

Keeping patients occupied

In the days after the system was launched, several families with children in the ward said it sounded interesting, and that they would consider using it.

"While we were waiting for the room, there was nothing for him to do," said Peter Rosenson of West Islip, whose 6-year-old son, Dan, was being treated for asthma. "They have access to technology that hospitals wouldn't normally have."

After Dan was settled in his hospital room, he watched cartoons on the new LCD monitor, and was looking forward to playing the video games. He was there for asthma treatments, but for a moment, he had more important things on his mind.

"Where's the remote?" the Manetuck Elementary School student asked.

Peter Rosenson, 34, stayed by his son's side while Dan was there earlier this month but did not use any of the office equipment because his "priority was in bed."

Video games and voice mail

Darnell Jeanbaptiste, 8, of Central Islip, who was in the hospital to be treated for sickle cell anemia, took advantage of the equipment. The student from Mulligan Elementary School became quite mesmerized by Space Cadet Pinball, a computer game.

"It's excellent," said Darnell's mother, Ines Nicaisse. "I think it's great for the kids. Every family that walks in really appreciates it. It was very generous."

Nicaisse said that the last time they were at Good Samaritan, Darnell was there for 22 days and had nothing to do. She, too, has used the "virtual office." She used the speakerphone with friends and family, and recently learned how to use the rest of the equipment. When told she could personalize the voice mail, she was thankful.

"It's like I live here," she said. As for the equipment, she said, "It's the greatest thing ever."

The young patients - though maybe not ones as young as Dan - also will have access to personal voice-mail systems and will be able to work on term papers while recovering.

Wireless headsets that act as remote controls for the televisions and video cameras, to allow patients to videoconference with anyone who has a camera on the other phone line, will be installed within two months, Venero said.

"They love it," nurse manager Joanne Brennan said of her young patients. "When we handed a laptop to a 12- and 16-year-old, their faces brightened up."

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