Phones are available in most patient rooms. The direct-dial number may be shared with friends and family; parents and patients should request that friends and family members not call the room after 8 p.m. There is no charge for incoming calls.
Outgoing calls can be made through the hospital operator or by dialing:
- within local area codes: 0 + 1 + area code + telephone number
- outside of local area codes (using a calling card or calling collect): 0 + 0 + area code + telephone number
There is no charge for calls to the 617, 857, 781, 339, 508, 774, and 781 area codes. Calls made outside these area codes must be made collect or charged to a telephone calling card or a third party.
Pay phones are available in the elevator lobby of each inpatient floor, and in the Emergency Department, the main lobby, and the Pavilion Lobby.
Cell phones
Cell phones, smart phones, personal data assistants (PDAs), and other wireless devices can't be used on patient floors or near any medical equipment. Please turn them off in restricted areas. They may be used by the elevator area on each patient floor, as well as in the main areas of the hospital. If you have questions about this policy, please call Telecommunications at 617-355-8444.
Fax machines
Fax machines are available in the hospital. Contact your child's nurse for additional information about sending and receiving faxes.
For patients or family members who are deaf or hard of hearing
Inpatient rooms are equipped with video phones that our deaf and hard of hearing families can use. If a video phone is not in your room, please contact the nurses desk to have one provided to you.
Other information
Baby cry lights and phone signal lights are available on inpatient floors. Your child's nurse can help obtain these for you.
Please see also our Interpreter Services page, which provides information on American Sign Language (ASL) and other interpreter services.