A Chatham County hospital struck a deal with county officials to expand its emergency medical facility in exchange for lower bond payments.

Memorial Hospital will expand service in its emergency medical facility in exchange for $15 million in savings after the county refinanced the hospital's bond payments.

The hospital's emergency department serves about 100,000 people annually, and is the only Level I trauma center in the region.

Officials say they'll use the savings to offer additional beds, add an area dedicated to heart and vascular health, expand surgical service and create an outpatient operating room. Officials say they'll also use donations to renovate the children's hospital.

The planned improvements will take between 18 and 24 months to complete.

Tags: hospital, health, Savannah, Chatham County, medical, Level-1 trauma center, Memorial Hospital