It is one of the most extensive of its kind in terms of numbers of users, variety of applications and terminals supported. The computer facility is administered by the medical school's Cardiovascular Research and Training Center. Dr. Harold T. Dodge, director of the university's cardiovascular research center, explained that the computer center collaborates with the John L. Locke. Jr. Coronary Care Center at Swedish in developing applications of computer technology for the treatment of its patients. Jr. Computer Center is designed to serve large numbers of terminals in an interactive mode providing two-way communication.
Users gain access to the computer via dedicated telephone lines in their offices and laboratories.
Clinical data input can be processed or retrieved in seconds. The Locke system, which serves up to 170 users simultaneously, can print up to 300 lines of information per minute. Using two computers, a DECSystem 10 and 20, it operates 24 hours a day every day. Jr. Center enables its users to accomplish more work in less time. Dr. John S. Sobolewski, director of the Locke Computer Center, explained this is important because, while the cost of computer time continues to fall, personnel costs are rising.