In 1959, the Maine Medical Center switchboard had 12 outside lines and 17 incoming, with 178 stations throughout the hospital. Between 3,000 and 4,000 calls were handled during an eight-hour period by a staff of seven, keeping the lines open 24 hours a day. It was possible for anyone to call the hospital and check on a patient's condition with the operator. In addition to continuous physician contact, operators were able to check the various floors to keep up on the patient census and relay messages from callers. Note the Portland Physicians' Directory perched near the hospital intercom.