Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 115 / Friday, June 14, 2013 / Notices 35935 

Ron A. Otten, 

Director, Office of Scientific Integrity, Office 

of the Associate Director for Science, Office 

of the Director, Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention. 

[FR Doc. 2013–14156 Filed 6–13–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4163–18–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention 

[Docket Number CDC–2013–0008; NIOSH– 

234] 

National Institute for Occupational 

Health (NIOSH)—Certified B Readers; 

Training and Testing 

AGENCY: National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health 

(NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC), 

Department of Health and Human 

Services (HHS). 

ACTION: Request for information and 

comment on priority knowledge and 

competency items to address in training 

and testing of National Institute for 

Occupational Health (NIOSH)—certified 

B Readers. 

SUMMARY: The National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health 

(NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC, is 

requesting information from 

stakeholders and the general public to 

identify and prioritize competencies 

currently needed by B Readers. The 

information obtained will be used in the 

development of the new digital B 

Reader program, including training and 

examinations. 

DATES: Electronic or written comments 

must be received by August 13, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, 

identified by CDC–2013–0008 and 

NIOSH–234, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// 

www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Mail: NIOSH Docket Office, Robert 

A. Taft Laboratories, MS–C34, 4676 

Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 

45226. 

All information received in response 

to this notice must include the agency 

name and docket number (CDC–2013– 

0008; NIOSH–234). All relevant 

comments received will be posted 

without change to www.regulations.gov, 

including any personal information 

provided. To view the notice and 

related materials, visit http:// 

www.regulations.gov and enter CDC– 

2013–0008 in the search field and click 

‘‘Search.’’ 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Simone Tramma, MD, MS, 1600 Clifton 

Road NE. MS E20, Atlanta, GA 30329– 

4018, telephone 404–498–0197. 

Background 

Chest radiography is a widely applied 

and important tool for assessing lung 

health in clinical care, surveillance, 

research and hazard evaluations of 

workers exposed to respirable silica, 

asbestos, coal, beryllium, and other 

hazardous dusts. Collectively, these 

dust-induced diseases are called 

pneumoconioses. The International 

Labour Office (ILO) International 

Classification of Radiographs of 

Pneumoconioses provides a 

standardized system for classification of 

chest radiographs that has been widely 

used by physicians and epidemiologic 

researchers in the investigation of workrelated respiratory hazards. For the last 

four decades, NIOSH has been training 

physicians and certifying competence in 

the use of the ILO system to classify 

film-based chest radiographs. 

Physicians who pass a rigorous 

standardized examination offered by 

NIOSH are designated as B Readers. 

Recently, the ILO system was updated 

to allow the use of digital chest images 

instead of analog chest radiographs. 

Similarly, NIOSH updated its Coal 

Workers’ Health Surveillance Program 

to allow use of digital chest images. In 

follow up, NIOSH is now working to 

update its B Reader training and 

certification program by developing 

digital-format training materials and 

examinations. 

Core knowledge and competencies to 

be addressed in an updated digitalformat B Reader training and 

certification program might include the 

following: 

I—Knowledge 

Understand the following: 

1. The different types of radiographic 

abnormalities that are or may be 

associated with dust exposure. 

2. The intention, format, and 

mechanics of the ILO classification 

system, including: 

(a) When to use the classification and 

what abnormalities should be 

classified 

(b) How the ILO defines abnormalities 

for parenchymal and pleural disease 

(c) The meaning of profusion and how 

to use major/minor profusion 

categories properly 

(d) The nature and use of standard 

films/images in classification 

3. Where to find information about 

how to apply the ILO system. 

4. Where to find information on the 

NIOSH B Reader system. 

5. Ethical approaches to classifying 

radiographs, including: 

(a) The responsibilities of the reader in 

communicating with worker, agency, 

lawyer, employer 

readers 

6. The effects of technical defects on 

the appearances covered in the 

classification. 

II—Skills 

Ability to accurately and reliably 

identify and categorize the following 

according to the ILO classification 

system: 

1. Image quality 

(a) Unreadable images 

(b) Defects in image quality that may 

affect its classification 

2. Normal radiographs 

(a) Borderline normal 

3. Small nodular opacities 

(a) High profusion 

(b) Low profusion 

(c) Reliably classifying profusion as 

1/0 or greater; or 0/1 or less. 

4. Small linear/irregular opacities 

(a) High profusion 

(b) Low profusion 

(c) Reliably classifying profusion as 

1/0 or greater; or 0/1 or less 

5. Reliable classification of Large 

Opacities 

(a) Reliably classify presence of large 

opacities 

(b) Reliably classify category of large 

opacities 

6. Pleural disease 

(a) Plaque and diffuse 

(b) Calcifications 

(c) Costophrenic angle obliteration 

(d) Locations 

7. Be able to identify and differentiate: 

1. Large opacities and confluence of 

small opacities (ax) lesions 

2. Cancer (ca) and pulmonary 

tuberculosis (tb) lesions 

Information Needs 

Additional data and information are 

needed to assist NIOSH in determining 

the knowledge elements and 

competencies that should be included 

in B Reader training and certification 

and how they should be prioritized for 

emphasis in training and certification 

testing. Information is particularly 

needed in response to the following 

questions: 

(1) What knowledge elements and 

competencies are essential for a B 

Reader? 

(2) What are the most critical 

knowledge elements and competencies 

to identify in the B Reader certification 

and re-certification examinations? 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

35936 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 115 / Friday, June 14, 2013 / Notices 

(3) What are the key functions of the 

B Reader certification and recertification examinations grading 

system, and how should the 

examinations be graded to accomplish 

those functions? Should the general 

approach currently used for grading 1 2

be changed and if yes, how and why? 

(4) Should NIOSH consider 

alternative approaches to maintenance 

of B Reader certification besides 

recertification examinations every 4 

years? If so, what alternative approaches 

would be both effective and desirable? 

(5) NIOSH seeks to obtain materials, 

including published and unpublished 

reports and research findings that will 

help to answer these questions. NIOSH 

encourages respondents to provide these 

materials. 

References 

1. Morgan RH [1979].Proficiency 

Examination of Physicians for Classifying 

Pneumoconiosis Chest Films. AJR 132: 

803–808. 

2. Wagner GR, Attfield MD, Kennedy RD, 

Parker JE [1992]. The NIOSH B Reader 

Certification Program-An Update Report. J 

Occup Med 34(9):879–84. 

Dated June 7, 2013. 

John Howard, 

Director, National Institute for Occupational 

Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention. 

[FR Doc. 2013–14147 Filed 6–13–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4163–19–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention 

Statement of Organization, Functions, 

and Delegations of Authority 

Part C (Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention) of the Statement of 

Organization, Functions, and 

Delegations of Authority of the 

Department of Health and Human 

Services (45 FR 67772–76, dated 

October 14, 1980, and corrected at 45 FR 

69296, October 20, 1980, as amended 

most recently at 78 FR 30307–30312, 

dated May 22, 2013) is amended to 

reorganize the Office of the Associate 

Director for Science, Office of the 

Director, Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention, and to revise the 

functional statement for the Office of 

Scientific Integrity, Office of the 

Director, National Center for 

Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. 

Section C–B, Organization and 

Functions, is hereby amended as 

follows: 

Delete in its entirety the functional 

statement for the Office of the Director 

(CAS1), Office of the Associate Director 

for Science (CAS), and insert the 

following: 

Office of the Director (CAS1). (1) 

Directs, manages, and coordinates the 

activities of the OADS; (2) develops 

goals and objectives, provides 

leadership, policy formation, scientific 

oversight, and guidance in program 

planning and development; and (3) 

oversees functions of Office of Science 

Quality, Office of Scientific Integrity, 

Office of Technology and Innovation, 

and Special Projects Activity. 

After the title and function statement 

for the Office of Scientific Integrity 

(CASJ), Office of the Associate Director 

for Science (CAS), insert the following: 

Office of Technology and Innovation 

(CASK). (1) Promotes and facilitates the 

development of technology and 

innovation throughout the spectrum of 

scientific discovery; (2) provides 

leadership and expertise to promote and 

effect the timely transfer of knowledge 

and technology for development of 

products and processes that improve 

public health; (3) manages CDC’s 

intellectual property (e.g., patents, 

trademarks, copyrights) and promotes 

the transfer of new technology from 

CDC research to the private sector; (4) 

leads, develops, coordinates, and 

manages policies and/or activities that 

assure CDC intellectual property 

transfer, scientific training and technical 

assistance; (5) champions and facilitates 

innovation, collaborations and 

technology transfers among federal 

scientists, laboratories, academia and 

industry; (6) provides leadership and 

oversight for innovation activities that 

have the potential to transform the way 

that CDC and the private sector improve 

the public’s health; (7) provides 

consultation and advice to the CDC 

Office of the Director, Centers/Institute/ 

Offices, and programs related to 

technology transfer and innovation; and 

(8) maintains regular, open, and 

responsive communication with the 

CDC science community and other key 

partners including CDC Office of 

General Council, National Institute of 

Health, Department of Health and 

Human Services and United States 

Patent and Trademark Office. 

Delete in its entirety the functional 

statement for the Office of Laboratory 

Science (CVG14), Office of the Director 

(CVG1), National Center for 

Immunization and Respiratory Diseases 

(CVG), and insert the following: 

Office of Laboratory Science (CVG14). 

(1) Provides leadership, expertise and 

service in laboratory science; (2) 

represents NCIRD’s interests in crosscutting laboratory services in OID which 

include, but are not limited to, 

laboratory information systems, quality 

management systems and 

bioinformatics; (3) ensures a safe 

working environment in NCIRD 

laboratories; and (4) collaborates 

effectively with other centers and offices 

in carrying out its functions. 

Dated: June 6, 2013. 

Sherri A. Berger, 

Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention. 

[FR Doc. 2013–14165 Filed 6–13–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4163–18–M 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 

Services 

[Document Identifiers CMS–10482] 

Agency Information Collection 

Activities: Proposed Collection; 

Comment Request 

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & 

Medicaid Services. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: The Centers for Medicare & 

Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing 

an opportunity for the public to 

comment on CMS’ intention to collect 

information from the public. Under the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 

(PRA), federal agencies are required to 

publish notice in the Federal Register 

concerning each proposed collection of 

information (including each proposed 

extension or reinstatement of an existing 

collection of information) and to allow 

60 days for public comment on the 

proposed action. Interested persons are 

invited to send comments regarding our 

burden estimates or any other aspect of 

this collection of information, including 

any of the following subjects: (1) The 

necessity and utility of the proposed 

information collection for the proper 

performance of the agency’s functions; 

(2) the accuracy of the estimated 

burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 

utility, and clarity of the information to 

be collected; and (4) the use of 

automated collection techniques or 

other forms of information technology to 

minimize the information collection 

burden. 

DATES: Comments must be received by 

August 13, 2013: 

ADDRESSES: When commenting, please 

reference the document identifier or 

OMB control number (OCN). To be 

assured consideration, comments and 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES