[Federal Register: September 6, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 171)]
[Notices]
[Page 53018-53019]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06se05-62]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the intention of the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) to reinstate the information collection
project: ``AHRQ-HRSA Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and
Explosive (All Hazards) Preparedness Questionnaire for Healthcare
Facilities for 2004 (CBRNE)''. In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3506(C)(2)(A), AHRQ invites the public
to comment on this proposed information collection.
AHRQ obtained a six-month emergency collection approval for the
first wave of this information collection. This reinstatement of the
previous clearance approval coves the second wave of the same survey.
The respondents will be queried as to their progress in achieving the
preparedness goals reported in the first wave.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 7, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Written comments for the proposed information collection
should be submitted to: Cynthia D. McMichael, Reports Clearance
Officer, AHRQ, 540 Gaither Road, Room 5022, Rockville, MD
20850.
Copies of the proposed collection plans, data collection
instruments, and specific details on the estimated burden can obtained
from the AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia D. McMichael, AHRQ Reports
Clearance Officer, (301) 427-1651.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Proposed Project
``AHRQ-HRSA Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and
Explosive (All Hazards) Preparedness Questionnaire for Healthcare
Facilities for 2004 (CBRNE)''
The Preparedness Questionnaire is an inventory of the U.S.
hospitals which received support for preparedness activities under the
HRSA National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program. This survey
instrument is being designed for use by preparedness planners to
measure local or regional hospital levels of preparedness for a
chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE)
event. One point of contact is designated in each hospital to provide
information on a range of topics that have been deemed essential by a
panel of nationally-recognized experts on issues related to hospital
preparedness for a CBRNE, i.e., an all hazards event.
These topics include facility planning and administration; training
and education; communication and notification; patient capacity;
staffing and support; isolation and decontaminations; supplies,
pharmaceuticals and laboratory support; and surveillance.
The inventory, which was administered in 2004/2005 and will be
again in 2006, will provide national, state, and regional levels of
preparedness by type of hospital, as well as estimates of bed capacity
and emergency increase (surge) capacity. This information will be used
to ascertain the progress of the previously queried hospitals in
attaining their preparedness goals.
In addition to determination the capacity of the survey instrument
to actually collect information needed for local and regional planning,
it should also be useful for national planning, program planning,
setting priority areas in addressing current and future needs, as well
as ensuring that scarce resources are being used in a way that achieves
the most impact in preparedness.
Data Confidentiality Provisions
The data will be collected by an independent consulting firm under
terms of its contract. The identifiable information about institutions
will be kept confidential in accordance with 42 USC 299c-3(c). AHRQ and
HRSA will receive only state-level summary data, and not individual
hospital responses.
Method of Collection
The preparedness questionnaire will be administered electronically
to each hospital via electronic mail. The estimated burden is as
follows:
Estimated Annual Respondent Burden
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Number of questionnaire Total hours
recipients Estimated burden/respondent of burden
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1479.......................... 60 minutes................. 1479
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The estimate burden is based on the completion of a paper version
of the questionnaire by a pilot hospital. The more efficient data
collection effort enabled by the electronic format has been taken into
account in this estimate. The annualized cost to all potential
respondents is estimated at $51,528 Total ($34.84/hr [average staff
time] x 1 hr. x 1479 respondents). Percentage of capital costs,
operating costs or maintenance costs are negligible.
A stratified random sample by state will be used in this second
wave survey. This second wave (resurvey) is utilizing statistical
methods based on baseline data in developing a sampling scheme.
Request for Comments
In accordance with the above cited Paperwork Reduction Act
legislation, comments on the AHRQ's and HRSA's information collection
are requested with regard to any of the following: (a) Whether the
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper
performance of functions of AHRQ and HRSA, including whether the
information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and costs) of the
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d)
[[Page 53019]]
ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and included in the request for OMB approval of the proposed
information collection. All comments will become a matter of public
record.
Dated: August 12, 2005.
Carolyn M. Clancy,
Director.
[FR Doc. 05-17617 Filed 9-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-90-M