Part XII: Creating a Bureaucracy to Manage Health Care and Infectious Disease at the State Level- Specimen Collecting
Is it possible to create an organization and its "Manager" that can do this without corruption? A case study, using Lessons Learned from the Covid-19 era
Introduction
At first blush, I don’t see the need for the health department to be dictating tests and specimen collection. Specimen testing, cardio testing, and autopsy testing, among other tests, should be required to determine the adverse effects of a pharmaceutical or medical procedure. On the other hand, the Covid-19 era has taught us that a government bureaucratic institution cannot be trusted to perform the needed procedures and to provide the true results to the community, or to physicians, for that matter. This is a Deep State Conundrum.
Section 44-550 Specimen Collection and Testing
I can see that the State may be required, under a national disaster declaration, to provide facilities and supplies for specimen testing. I can foresee a need where they would have to perform the tests, or retain the expertise necessary to perform the tests. Their’s should be strictly logistics support.
I don’t see a need for any additional support for a disease disaster declaration. If counties do not have sufficient personnel or equipment, I can see the need for those counties to hire additional personnel or rent additional equipment. That should not be a state-level responsibility, because it would soon evolve into a Deep State Conundrum.
SECTION 44‑4‑550. Specimen collection and testing.
(A)(1) DHEC may, for such period as the state of public health emergency exists, collect or cause to be collected specimens and perform tests on any person or animal, living or deceased, and acquire any previously collected specimens or test results that are reasonable and necessary to respond to the public health emergency.
(2) Specimens shall be collected only from those individuals who agree to have specimens collected or who agree to have tests performed.
(3) All specimens must be clearly marked.
(4) Specimen collection, handling, storage, and transport to the testing site must be performed in a manner that will reasonably preclude specimen contamination or adulteration and provide for the safe collection, storage, handling, and transport of the specimen.
(5) Any person authorized to collect specimens or perform tests must use chain of custody procedures to ensure proper recordkeeping, handling, labeling, and identification of specimens to be tested. This requirement applies to all specimens, including specimens collected using on‑site testing kits.
(B) Any business, facility, or agency authorized to collect specimens or perform tests must provide such support as is reasonable and necessary to aid in a relevant criminal investigation.
HISTORY: 2002 Act No. 339, Section 24, eff July 2, 2002.
Link back to Part I: Act 60- The Reorganization Directive Bill
Link back to Part II: Title 44, Chapter 1
Link back to Part III: Title 44, Chapter 4 100-120 Legislative Findings and Intent
Link back to Part IV: The Deep State Conundrum and Solution
Link back to Part V: Title 44, Chapter 4 130 Definitions
Link back to Part VI: Title 44 Chapter 4 300, 310 Natural Disasters
Link back to Part VII: Title 44 Chapter 4 320 Disposal of Human Remains
Link back to Part VIII: Title 44 Chapter 4 330 Supply Purchase and Logistics
Link back to Part IX: Title 44 Chapter 4 340 Destruction of Property in a Public Health Emergency
Link back to Part X. Title 44 Chapter 4 500 and 520 Control and Treatment of Infectious Disease
Link back to Part XI: Title 44 Chapter 4 530 and 540 Quarantine and Isolation