NATCHEZ &045; Natchez Pathology Laboratory employees scrambled Monday to get lab results to physicians in their usual timely manner. The problem? Telephones.

&uot;We have physicians who call to ask for results of tests, and they weren’t able to reach us,&uot; said Suzanne Steckler, office manager, who said the problem became evident soon after the work day began.

The laboratory’s problem was one shared by other businesses in Natchez using a &uot;hunting function, which is the rollover number,&uot; said Rick Stewart, regional manager for BellSouth. &uot;It is isolated to Natchez and it is under investigation.&uot;

The problem was unexpected and, as yet, not explained. However, it appears to be related to the change that took place Monday requiring telephone customers to dial 10-digit numbers instead of seven &045; incorporating the area code in even local calls.

The pathology lab had backup. &uot;Fortunately, we also have a courier,&uot; she said. The courier was able to get lab results to doctors who do not utilize the Web site, where test results also are posted, available by password only to the physician who requested the test.

Someone in the lab recognized the problem as the rollover mechanism. When the main line was busy, patrons were not able to connect with the next line, Steckler said.

Stewart said the company realizes the inconvenience and apologizes for it. &uot;We’re working to correct it.&uot;

Other than the rollover, the day appeared to go as expected, Stewart said. &uot;It’s been a busy day and it’s going well. We know of some minor delays, and we’re still in the process of adapting some offices.&uot;

Early in the day, the volume of calls on the old seven-digit system overloaded the lines, he said.

&uot;We are emphasizing that people remember the 10-digit number.&uot;

Different phone companies and many different kinds of equipment are affected by the change, he said. All equipment that had been programmed for

automatic dialing requires he same 10-digit changes for all numbers, he said.