Mercy Children's Hospital

TV's and Telephones

Television service is free of charge at Mercy Children’s Hospital.  A closed-circuit movie system is accessible to patients.  Access to the closed circuit and a list of movies are available from the child life specialists. 

There are a limited number of televisions with VCRs and game systems.These are available on a first-come, first-served basis.These systems are for patient use only. Please check with the child life specialists or your nurse to request a television or game unit.

A phone is located in each patient room. All patient room phones can receive calls directly from outside the hospital. Volume control can be adjusted on your patient room phone.

To make a local call:

To place local outside calls, dial 9 then the10-digit number. For long distance calls, dial 9 + 0 + area code and number.

To make a long distance call:

Long distance calls may be billed to your home telephone, your credit card, or placed collect. They may not be charged to your Mercy Children’s Hospital phone number in your room.

To call within the Medical Center:

To call any department or patient room in the Medical Center, you do not need to dial the “251” prefix. Simply dial (1) plus the last four digits of the telephone number. The telephone numbers for the pediatric nursing units are:

A Wing: 419-251-4610

B Wing: 419-251-4620

C Wing – Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: 419-251-4630

These numbers are for parent and/or guardian use only.

To reach an operator

Dialing “0” will connect you with a Mercy Children’s/St. Vincent operator who can help you contact a patient representative, social worker, chaplain or any department at the Medical Center. The operator may be reached from outside the Medical Center by calling (419) 251-3232 or (419)251-8000. To speak with a telephone company operator, dial “9” to obtain an outside line, then dial “0”.

Cellular Phones

For the safety of our patients, the use of cellular phones are not allowed in patient care areas.  Please use your cell phone in public areas of the hospital only, i.e. waiting rooms, lobbies or cafeteria.

TDD/TTY devices

Mercy Children’s/St. Vincent also maintains a TDD (TTY) telecommunication device for the deaf. The device is located in the switchboard area and is answered 24 a hours day by operators specially trained in TDD communication. The TDD phone number is (419) 251-4978. Arrangements can also be made for you to have a portable TDD device in your child’s room if necessary. Contact the Patient Representative office at ext. 1-4570.