(A) There is established the Trauma Advisory Council composed of, but not limited to, the following members to be appointed by the director of the department for terms of three years and members may be reappointed:

(1) a surgeon who oversees trauma care at each designated level, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Chapter of the American College of Surgeons;

(2) a hospital administrator from each designated level, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Hospital Association;

(3) a hospital administrator from a nondesignated facility, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Hospital Association;

(4) an emergency physician representative from each designated level, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Chapter of the College of Emergency Physicians;

(5) a trauma nurse coordinator from each designated level, upon the recommendation of the Trauma Association of South Carolina;

(6) the chairman of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control's Medical Control Committee;

(7) one public and one private field emergency medical services provider, upon the recommendation of the Emergency Medical Services Association;

(8) a physician, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Medical Association;

(9) the chairman of the Committee on Trauma of the South Carolina Chapter of the American College of Surgeons;

(10) a rehabilitation center administrator, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Hospital Association;

(11) the chairman of the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control;

(12) a representative from the South Carolina State Office of Rural Health;

(13) a third party payor representative, upon the recommendation of the Insurance Commissioner;

(14) a consumer representative appointed by the director;

(15) a representative from the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs;

(16) a representative from the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services;

(17) an orthopedic physician representative, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Orthopedic Association; and

(18) a pediatric physician representative, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

(B) The Chairman of the Trauma Advisory Council must be appointed by the director of the department from the membership of the council. The council members shall select a vice chairman from their membership. The council shall meet at least twice a year or at the call of the chairman. The council is authorized to create an executive committee made up of the chairman and vice chairman and no more than five other members from the membership of the council. The department's Emergency Medical Services Division shall provide staff support to the council.

(C) The Trauma Advisory Council shall act as an advisory body for trauma care system development and provide technical support to the department in areas of trauma care system design, trauma standards, data collection and evaluation, quality improvement, trauma system funding, and evaluation of the trauma care system and trauma care programs.

HISTORY: 2004 Act No. 232, Section 1, eff May 11, 2004; 2008 Act No. 230, Section 1, eff upon approval (became law without the Governor's signature on May 15, 2008).