As used in this chapter:

1. (1) "Board" means the South Carolina Board of Health and Environmental Control.
2. (2) "Department" means the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

3. (3) "Hospice" means a centrally administered, interdisciplinary health care program. This program must provide a continuum of medically supervised palliative and supportive care for the terminally ill patient and the family including, but not limited to, outpatient and inpatient services provided directly or through written agreement. Inpatient services include, but are not limited to, services provided by a hospice in a licensed hospice facility.

   Admission to a hospice program of care is based on the voluntary request of the hospice patient alone or in conjunction with designated family members.

4. (4) "Hospice facility" means an institution, place, or building in which a licensed hospice provides room, board, and appropriate hospice services on a twenty-four hour basis to individuals requiring hospice care pursuant to the orders of a physician.
5. (5) "Licensee" means the individual, corporation, or public entity with whom rests the ultimate responsibility for maintaining approved standards for the hospice or hospice facility.