The term “accreditation and quality assurance materials” as used in Sections 41-63-21 through 41-63-29 means and shall include written reports, records, correspondence and materials concerning the accreditation or quality assurance of any hospital, nursing home or other health-care facility and any medical care foundation, health maintenance organization, preferred provider organization, individual practice association or similar entity or any ambulance service or other prehospital emergency response agency. However, the term does not include reports, records, correspondence and materials concerning accreditation or quality assurance that are prepared by the State Department of Health. The confidentiality established by Sections 41-63-21 through 41-63-29 shall apply to accreditation and quality assurance materials prepared by an employee, advisor or consultant of any hospital, nursing home or other health-care facility and any medical care foundation, health maintenance organization, preferred provider organization, individual practice association or similar entity or any ambulance service or other prehospital emergency response agency and to materials provided by an employee, advisor or consultant of an accreditation, quality assurance or similar agency or similar body and to any individual who is an employee, advisor or consultant of a hospital, nursing home or other health-care facility and any medical care foundation, health maintenance organization, preferred provider organization, individual practice association or similar entity or any ambulance service or other prehospital emergency response agency, or accrediting, quality assurance or similar agency or body.
