Mott Family Network
What is the Mott Family Network?
The Mott Family Network is a nonprofit volunteer organization funded by corporate sponsors and charitable donations. The Mott Golf Classic is held every year to raise funds for this program.
The Mott Family Network is our way to help patients and families stay connected to life outside the hospital during their hospital stay. Through the Mott Family Network, we provide personal computers and independent network connections at every bedside, all at no cost to the patient. Computer monitors are mounted on swinging arms attached to the wall behind the beds, with keyboard, mouse and joystick within reach. Headphones are available to minimize disruption to patient care. In addition, separate wall jacks have been installed to provide connections for personal laptops.
The Network is a convenient and easy way for our young patients to keep up with schoolwork and access entertainment. By using a variety of online homework tools, they can stay in contact with teachers and up-to-date with lessons. Additionally, they can use the computers to access the internet, view e-mail, watch DVDs, play games and use educational software. Parents and family members can take advantage of the Mott Family Network by using it to pay bills on-line, stay in touch with out-of-state family members, research medical conditions and keep up with local/worldwide news.
Mott Family Network Resources and Locations
See the attached PDF for full listing of service areas.
Bedside computers are located in patient rooms on Mott floors 5, 6 and 7. In addition, laptop outlets are available in patient rooms as well. Patients and families may bring in their own personal laptop to use these outlets. In each of the activity rooms on these floors also have computers.
The Mott classroom is located on the 6th floor. Mott Family Network has supplied it with three computers, a videoconferencing unit, teaching resources, a digital camera, printer, and educational software. There is a classroom teacher to help with homework and contacting schools. For more information, contact Child and Family Life.
The Family Resource Center is located on the 8th floor. Mott Family Network has equipped this room with wireless Internet, two plasma TV’s, five computers, three digital camera, photo printer, and X-box 360 game stations. Families and patients are welcome to bring in their own personal laptops to use the wireless Internet access.
In the University Hospital’s cafeteria, Mott Family Network released wireless access for patients and families. Any family member or guest is welcome to use their personal laptop in this area.
The Network is planning to continue to supply C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital with computer, recreational, and educational resources.
Recently, Hewlett-Packard has donated 14 HP PhotoSmart A446 Digital Camera and Printer Docks to the Mott Family Network. Of these cameras and printers, five of them went to the NICU; one to Community Relations; three to the Family Resource Center; one to the Mott 6 Classroom; one to each of the activity rooms on floors five, six and seven; and the Mott Family Network Interns are keeping one in their office. With this generous donation, pediatric patients will now have the ability to access photos for school projects, presents, decorations and their CarePages. All of these cameras and printers are currently available to check-out in the above mentioned locations! Mott Family Network is thrilled to add these cameras and printers to their collection!
Assistive Technology Resources
Mott Family Network has recently developed an interest in Assistive Technology. The Network realized the importance of allowing all patients the opportunity to have equal access to entertainment, education and a means of communication during their stay at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
The Mott Family Network supplies Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with assistive technology carts (now called MottBotts) and devices for use with patients who are in need of them. Patients need a referral from a physician in order to be evaluated by a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation staff member and fitted with the appropriate assistive devices.
Mott Family Network has provided Phystical Medicine and Rehabilitation with alternative input devices such as keyboards, joysticks, sip and puff controls, head mouse devices and many more that will give patients full functionality of a computer and its resources.
One of the big projects Mott Family Network is working on is releasing a number of assistive technology carts. Assistive technology carts are mobile computer carts that are fully adaptable to the special needs of patients and families. A Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation staff member will individualize the cart according to the patient’s needs for use during their inpatient stay. There are three carts available through Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation but the Network is currently working on increasing that number.
Future Plans and Projects
Currently, the Mott Family Network has many projects underway. First of all, we are revamping our Mott 6 Classroom with new computer hardware that will allow for the saving of games and documents. We are also working on providing the classroom with more educational software, various assistive technology devices and assistive furniture. The assistive furniture will adapt to allow patients with large wheelchairs to fit under the computer and school desks. Because the Mott Family Network feels it is essential to provide equal access to all, the assistive technology devices and furniture will be implemented to better serve patients with special needs.
In addition, we are in the planning stages of putting a computer by the bedside of each bed in the Pediatric Dialysis Room. We are very excited to see how this project fans out!
Privacy & Security
For patient privacy and protection, all computers are secured by user name and password log-in controlled access, along with a filtering system to prevent young users from accessing inappropriate on-line resources. Patients may view available Network DVD movies or bring selections from home. To preserve the stability and quality of the network, installation of games or software is not allowed.
A Little History
Mott was the first children’s hospital in the Midwest to offer bedside computer and network availability. Since the Mott Family Network’s launch in 2003, more than 8,000 patients and families have used the network. At project completion, 155 computers have been installed, with a total of 250 network connections available. This $1 million network project was made possible by funding from the hospital’s annual C.S. Mott Golf Classic, corporate donations that supplied personal computers, software, networking materials, maintenance and storage, and more than 100 volunteers who lent their skills to design, wire, build and install the computers.
Want to Volunteer or Learn More?
For additional information about the Mott Family Network including our acceptable use policies, user guides, the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Patient Room Computer Agreement, Frequently Asked Questions and the current software list, visit the official Web site for Mott Family Network Volunteers.
