The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

1. (1) Act--The Texas Cancer Incidence Reporting Act, Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 82.
2. (2) Branch--Cancer Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch of the department.
3. (3) Cancer--Includes a large group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells; any condition of tumors having the properties of anaplasia, invasion, and metastasis; a cellular tumor the natural course of which is fatal, including intracranial and central nervous system malignant, borderline, and benign tumors as required by the national program of cancer registries; and malignant neoplasm, other than non-melanoma skin cancers such as basal and squamous cell carcinomas.
4. (4) Cancer Reporting Handbook--The branch's manual for cancer reporters that documents reporting procedures and format.
5. (5) Clinical laboratory--An accredited facility in which tests are performed identifying findings of anatomical changes; specimens are interpreted and pathological diagnoses are made.
6. (6) Department--Department of State Health Services.
7. (7) Health care facility--A general or special hospital as defined by the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 241; an ambulatory surgical center licensed under the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 243; an institution licensed under the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 242; or any other facility, including an outpatient clinic, that provides diagnostic or treatment services to patients with cancer.
8. (8) Health care practitioner--A physician as defined by Occupations Code, §151.002 or a person who practices dentistry as described by the Occupations Code, §251.003.
9. (9) Personal cancer data--Information that includes items that may identify an individual.
10. (10) Quality assurance--Operational procedures by which the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the information reported to the department can be determined and verified.
11. (11) Report--Information provided to the department that notifies the appropriate authority of the occupancy of a specific cancer in a person, including all information required to be provided to the department.
12. (12) Research--A systematic investigation, including research development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.
13. (13) Statistical data--Aggregate presentation of individual records on cancer cases excluding patient identifying information.
14. (14) Texas Cancer Registry--The cancer incidence reporting system administered by the Cancer Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch.

Source Note:The provisions of this §91.2 adopted to be effective November 7, 2002, 27 TexReg 10387; amended to be effective July 9, 2006, 31 TexReg 5300; amended to be effective August 14, 2011, 36 TexReg 4963.