South Carolina General Assembly
117th Session, 2007-2008

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Bill 3741


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A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 40-51-20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF PODIATRISTS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "PODIATRY" TO ALSO INCLUDE THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF AILMENTS OF THE ANKLE AND TO DEFINE "PRACTICE OF PODIATRY" AS A PERSON LICENSED TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT AILMENTS OF THE FOOT AND ANKLE.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 40-51-20 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 40-51-20.    For the purposes of this chapter:

(1)    'Practice of podiatry' shall mean means the diagnosis, medical, physical, and surgical treatment limited to of ailments of the human foot, except the administration of an anaesthetic other than local and ankle and those anatomical structures of the leg governing and related to the function of the foot and ankle with the administration and prescription of drugs incidental to this treatment. Surgical treatment is restricted to below the anterior tibial tubercle and includes treatment of local manifestations of systemic diseases as they appear on the foot and ankle but does not include the treatment of systemic diseases causing manifestations in the foot and ankle. The practice of podiatry includes the amputations of toes or other parts of the foot but does not include the amputation of the foot or leg in its entirety. The practice of podiatry includes the administration of local anesthetics in conjunction with the practice of podiatry. Spinal or general anesthesia must be administered by a health care professional regulated under this title who is authorized to administer anesthesia within the scope of his or her practice.

(2)    "Diagnosis" shall mean to ascertain a disease or ailment by symptoms and findings and does not confer the right to use X-ray other than for diagnosis 'Podiatrist' means a person licensed in accordance with this chapter and by such licensure is considered a physician and surgeon of the foot and ankle, licensed to diagnose and treat ailments of the foot and ankle.

(3)    "Medical treatment" shall mean the application or prescribing of any therapeutic agent or remedy for the relief of foot ailments, except the medical treatment of any systemic disease causing manifestations in the foot.

(4)    "Surgical treatment" shall mean the use of any cutting instrument to treat a disease, ailment, deformity or condition of the foot, but shall not confer the right to amputate the foot or toes."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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