The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, March 10, 1995                 TAG: 9503100370
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 
DATELINE: EDENTON                            LENGTH: Short :   29 lines

CHOWAN HOSPITAL GROWING

By the end of this month, work will begin on a $3 million construction project at Chowan Hospital.

The Chowan Hospital board of directors approved constructing 12,995 square feet of new space and renovating 5,852 square feet of the existing facilities.

When the project is completed, the hospital will offer a more modern and enhanced area for outpatient surgery, clinic visitation, emergency treatment, registration and waiting areas.

Construction will take place on the first floor of the hospital, which faces Hicks Street. A 10-bed alcove, with nurses' station and patient changing areas, will comprise the outpatient surgical area. Patients will be registered adjacent to this area, and will be prepared for surgery, have surgery performed and go through their recovery period all in the same area.

The emergency room treatment area also will have increased space, with additional private treatment areas and fewer open cubicles.

The project is scheduled to be completed 18 months after groundbreaking. by CNB