Saint Francis Hospital in the US state of Georgia has announced a $110m renovation and expansion project to meet the growing healthcare needs of the region.

The project includes 230 private rooms, seven additional operating rooms, a dedicated cardiovascular surgical suite and four cardiac catheterisation labs.

The renovated hospital will also include two stress test rooms, a 324-seat auditorium and a lecture hall, and a 40% increase in emergency room capacity.

Construction will begin in 2010 and is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2011.