S.C. Code Ann. § 44-30-20: Definitions.

As used in this article:

(1) "CDC" means the Centers for Disease Control of the Public Health Service.

(2) "CDC recommendations" means the July 12, 1991, CDC document (MMWR, Volume 40, No. RR-8) entitled "Recommendations for Preventing Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis B Virus to Patients During Exposure-Prone Invasive Procedures" or equivalent guidelines developed by the department and approved by the CDC and any appropriate supplements or revisions thereto.

(3) "Department" means the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

(4) "Educational institutions" means the health professional schools of dentistry, medicine, and nursing and any other educational program or institution providing training for health care professionals.

(5) "Expert review panel" means a panel of experts in composition and function as defined in the CDC recommendations and appointed or approved by the department.

(6) "Health care professional" means a physician, physician's assistant, dentist, dental hygienist, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or podiatrist practicing or licensed to practice in South Carolina.

(7) "Licensing board" means these health professional licensing boards which are state agencies and which license and regulate specific health care professions: the State Board of Medical Examiners, the State Board of Nursing for South Carolina, the South Carolina State Board of Dentistry, and the State Board of Podiatry Examiners.

(8) "Public law" means Public Law 102-141, Section 633, enacted October 28, 1991, applicable to health care professionals.

(9) "State public health official" means the director of the department or the director's designee.