UW Medical Center phone prefix changing

The 548 prefix at UW Medical Center changed at the beginning of this month, but the change has not been obvious to most people.

On Jan. 1, UWMC phone numbers beginning with the 548 prefix changed to 598. The four numbers following the prefix remain the same.

For at least a year, when you dial 548 you will be automatically transferred to the 598 number. Eventually, the 548 number will no longer work at UWMC and the caller will hear a recording announcing the new, correct number.

“We decided it was important to keep the same prefix throughout the medical center,” said Preston Simmons, assistant administrator. “Since we were running out of 548 numbers, we had to change to a prefix that had more numbers available.”

The change is transparent as currently all UWMC 548 numbers can be reached by calling 598. This will allow departments to use up existing stocks of supplies and marketing materials with the old 548 prefix.

For more information, contact UW Medical Center Communications Services at 598-6970. ¶

Craig Degginger