Atrium Medical Center’s Phone Prefix is Changing

Atrium Medical Center previously announced plans to consolidate its telephone prefixes to one common prefix for all phone numbers related to the hospital.

Currently, we have two different prefixes for hospital phone numbers: 420 and 705. Having more than one prefix often has caused confusion for patients, visitors and employees. The current two-prefix system also is inefficient, making it difficult to reach some staff and impossible to call inpatients directly.

The changes to the prefix are moving forward. In fact, both old (420 and 705 prefixes) and new (974 prefixes) phone numbers are now working. Staff are encouraged to start updating their phone number references in email signatures, literature and other listings where phone numbers appear. If updating the phone number requires printing materials or other cost, don't reorder materials just to update the phone number. Instead, update materials in the normal course of business while replenishing supplies.

An easy way to check if your phone number is changing is to try calling it from an outside line using the new 974 prefix.

This change will make all numbers internally direct dial using the four-digit extension, making things simpler for staff and customers who call the hospital.

What are the benefits of having only one prefix?

• The new direct inward dial (DID) system will have one prefix, 974, that will be exclusive to Atrium Medical Center. It will streamline our phone system, similar to Miami Valley Hospital’s hospital-wide 208 prefix and Good Samaritan Hospital’s (closed in 2018) 734 prefix.
• The DID system will allow 100 percent direct dialing for all four-digit hospital phone numbers, including physician offices and wireless phones, patient room phones and nursing stations.
• The system will make it easier for patients, employees, physicians and the community to reach and/or call back hospital departments and staff.
• The DID system will support new technologies and improve communications.

Will the four-digit extensions change?

The four-digit extensions will not change, just the three-digit prefix. For example, if your office or department phone number is (513) 420-1234 or (513) 705-1234, the new number will be (513) 974-1234. The last four digits will remain the same.

Will the new 974 prefix have any effect on internal dialing?

The 974 prefix affects calls made from outside of the hospital inward. It will not change how we dial internally by four-digit extensions or how we contact other hospitals in the system using the 892 (system support), 894 (MVHS), 896 (MVH), 897 (GSH) and 899 (UVMC) internal prefixes.

When will the new prefix be effective?

The new 974 prefix is operational now, and we encourage everyone to begin using it to become comfortable with the new numbers. The 420 and 705 prefixes will still work for a limited period of time to allow for the transition to the 974 prefix. The cutoff date will now be Jan. 1, 2018.

Does this change include fax numbers?

There will be more information to come about changing fax numbers across Premier Health. Due to another project to streamline fax machines that are part of multi-function devices (MFDs), some fax numbers will change. Not all fax numbers will use the new 974 prefix. Those who use MFDs will be contacted and informed if their fax number is changing or not. Until you are contacted about this, do not update any references about fax numbers.

Watch for periodic reminders of this change to Atrium Medical Center’s phone numbers. We look forward to improved communication with each other and those we serve. If you have any questions, contact Julie Norris at extension 4797 or janorris@premierhealth.com, or Chelsey Levingston at extension 5121 or cjlevingst@premierhealth.com. 

Back to the July 2017 issue of Premier Pulse