Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 145 / Tuesday, July 29, 2014 / Notices 44033 

from communicating with their 

competitors about rates or prices, with 

a proviso permitting public posting of 

rates and a second proviso that permits 

Respondents to buy or sell barcodes. 

Section II, Paragraph B prohibits 

Respondents from entering into, 

participating in, maintaining, 

organizing, implementing, enforcing, 

inviting, offering, or soliciting an 

agreement with any competitor to 

divide markets, to allocate customers, or 

to fix prices. 

Section II, Paragraph C bars 

Respondents from urging any 

competitor to raise, fix or maintain its 

price or rate levels or to limit or reduce 

service terms or levels. 

Sections III–VI of the Proposed Orders 

impose certain standard reporting and 

compliance requirements on 

Respondents. 

The Proposed Orders will expire in 20 

years. 

By direction of the Commission. 

Donald S. Clark, 

Secretary. 

[FR Doc. 2014–17785 Filed 7–28–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6750–01–P 

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. 

SUMMARY: This notice announces the 

intention of the Agency for Healthcare 

Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request 

that the Office of Management and 

Budget (OMB) approve the proposed 

information collection project: ‘‘Phase II 

of a Longitudinal Program Evaluation of 

Health and Human Services (HHS) 

Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) 

National Action Plan (NAP).’’ In 

accordance with the Paperwork 

Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501–3521, 

AHRQ invites the public to comment on 

this proposed information collection. 

This proposed information collection 

was previously published in the Federal 

Register on April 23rd and allowed 60 

days for public comment. No comments 

were received. The purpose of this 

notice is to allow an additional 30 days 

for public comment. 

DATES: Comments on this notice must be 

received by August 28, 2014. 

ADDRESSES: Written comments should 

be submitted to: Doris Lefkowitz, 

Reports Clearance Officer, AHRQ, by 

email at doris.lefkowitz@AHRQ.hhs.gov. 

Copies of the proposed collection 

plans, data collection instruments, and 

specific details on the estimated burden 

can be obtained from the AHRQ Reports 

Clearance Officer. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ Reports 

Clearance Officer, (301) 427–1477, or by 

email at doris.lefkowitz@AHRQ.hhs.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Proposed Project 

Phase II of a Longitudinal Program 

Evaluation of Health and Human 

Services (HHS) Healthcare Associated 

Infections (HAI) National Action Plan 

(NAP) 

This evaluation of HHS’ Healthcare 

Associated Infections National Action 

Plan will assess the efficacy, efficiency 

and coordination of federal efforts to 

mitigate and prevent Healthcare 

Associated Infections (HAIs). As such, 

the evaluation represents a critical 

component of AHRQ’s mission to 

promote health care quality 

improvement. 

HAIs are infections that patients 

acquire while receiving treatment for 

other conditions while in a health care 

setting. They affect care in hospitals, 

-hereafter referred to as ‘‘acute care-,’’ 

ambulatory care settings, and long-term 

care facilities, and represent a 

significant cause of illness and death in 

the United States. Over one million 

HAIs occur across health care settings 

every year. 

In 2008, amidst growing demands on 

the health care system, rising health 

care costs, and increasing concerns 

about antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, 

HHS established a senior-level Steering 

Committee for the Prevention of HAIs. 

Charged with improving coordination 

and maximizing the efficiency of 

prevention efforts across HHS, the 

Steering Committee released the first 

‘‘National Action Plan to Prevent Health 

Care-Associated Infections’’ (HAI NAP) 

in 2009. This plan outlined a systematic 

and phased approach to reducing HAIs 

and associated morbidity, mortality, and 

costs. Phase One of HAI NAP, which 

concluded in 2012, focused on HAI 

prevention in acute care hospitals, 

where data on prevention and the 

capacity to measure improvement were 

most complete. Additionally, the plan 

set specific targets for reducing rates of 

six high priority HAIs or specific 

causative organisms: Surgical site 

infection (SSI), central-line associated 

bloodstream infection (CLABSI), 

ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), 

catheter-associated urinary tract 

infection (CAUTI), Clostridium difficile 

infection, and methicillin-resistant 

Staphylococcus aureus infection 

(MRSA). 

Phase II of the Action Plan, entitled 

National Action Plan to Prevent 

Healthcare-Associated Infections: 

Roadmap to Elimination was released in 

April 2012. Phase 11 expanded the 

Action Plan to include prevention of 

HAIs in ambulatory surgical centers 

(ASCs) and end-stage renal disease 

(ESRD) facilities, and increasing 

influenza vaccination coverage of health 

care personnel. Phase III of the HAI 

NAP, released for public comment in 

April 2013, further expanded the Action 

Plan to include prevention of HAIs in 

long-term care facilities. 

Evaluation of HAI NAP. In 2009, 

AHRQ funded an independent, outside 

evaluation of HHS’ HAI prevention 

efforts, as guided by the Action Plan. 

The goals of this evaluation were to: (1) 

Record the content and scope of the 

Action Plan, its current design, its 

progress, and impact on the future; (2) 

establish baseline data and provide 

additional information on the HAT 

landscape prior to and following the 

initiation of the Action Plan effort; and 

(3) provide strategic insights from 

ongoing processes for reducing HAIs 

and outcomes of these processes. 

The current evaluation will expand 

upon this initial effort, encompassing 

the additional health care settings 

outlined in Phases H and III of the HAI 

NAP. 

The goals of this Phase II evaluation 

are to: 

1. Identify commonalities, gaps, 

themes, and opportunities for 

collaboration across six Federal quality 

improvement and patient safety efforts 

to eliminate HAIs; and 

2. highlight actionable opportunities 

across HHS to collaborate and 

efficiently utilize resources in these 

quality improvement and patient safety 

efforts; and 

3. assess the unique and aggregate 

contributions of each quality 

improvement and patient safety effort to 

the mitigation and prevention of HAIs. 

This study is being conducted by 

AHRQ through its contractor, Insight 

Policy Research, Inc. and its 

subcontractors, IMPAQ International 

and RAND Corporation, pursuant to 

AHRQ’s statutory authority to conduct 

and support research and evaluations on 

health care and on systems for the 

delivery of such care, including 

activities with respect to the quality, 

effectiveness, efficiency, 

appropriateness and value of health care 


rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
44034 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 145 / Tuesday, July 29, 2014 / Notices 

services and with respect to quality 

measurement and improvement. 42 

U.S.C. 299a(a)(1) and (2). 

Method of Collection 

To achieve the goals of the HAI NAP 

evaluation, the following data 

collections will be implemented: 

Semi-structured interviews. Key 

informant interviews with stakeholders 

of the HAI National Action Plan or the 

Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives 

that the Action Plan seeks to coordinate 

and align. These stakeholders will have 

knowledge of the QI initiatives as 

implemented in acute care, ambulatory 

care, long-term care or ESRD facilities. 

AHRQ plans to conduct 33 interviews 

each year, over the course of two years. 

The semi-structured interviews will 

inform the process evaluation. 

AHRQ will use the interview data to 

assess the processes and methods used, 

results achieved, and lessons learned 

from patient quality and safety programs 

that are directed at reducing the 

incidence of HAIs. This information 

will enable AHRQ to identify 

redundancies in program efforts and 

provide effective approaches for 

coordinating and aligning Federal 

efforts to prevent the incidence of HAIs. 

Finally, collecting data from these 

stakeholders will allow AHRQ to detect 

gaps in the HAI science base and 

opportunities for funding additional 

projects focused on generating and 

implementing knowledge on preventing 

HAIs. 

The information gathered through the 

key informant interviews will be 

presented to members of a Federal 

Action Working Group (FAWG), 

comprising representatives from the 

various Federal agencies and operating 

divisions of MIS who are actively 

involved in the HAI NAP. Presentations 

to the FAWG will provide continual and 

rapid-cycle feedback on evaluation 

findings. This feedback will accomplish 

several goals—namely, it will apprise 

the FAWG members of the study’s 

formative findings, provide a medium to 

obtain feedback from the FAWG 

regarding the unique and aggregate 

impact of the national programs, and 

engage the FAWG in a discussion about 

gaps and future requirements. 

Ultimately, the information gathered 

through this data collection effort will 

appear in annual reports, along with 

results of secondary data analyses. 

These reports will provide AHRQ and 

HHS with comprehensive, evaluative 

findings across and within individual 

patient safety programs as well as 

findings specific to the HAI NAP, and 

the extent to which the goals outlined 

in the plan have been achieved. 

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden 

Exhibit 1 shows the estimated 

annualized burden hours for the 

respondents’ time to participate in this 

evaluation. The total burden hours are 

estimated to be 66, which covers two 

years of interviews. The exhibits below 

indicate annualized burden hours in 

one year. 

In-Depth Interviews with 

Stakeholders: AHRQ plans to conduct 

33 semi-structured interviews each year 

for two years, totaling 66 semistructured interviews during the course 

of the evaluation. These interviews will 

be conducted with key HAI NAP 

stakeholders with expertise in one or 

more of the four targeted health care 

settings. These health care settings 

include: acute care hospital settings, 

ambulatory surgical centers, ESRD 

facilities, and long-term care settings. 

Respondents will be interviewed by 

telephone. Participant recruitment 

should take no longer than five minutes. 

Scheduling will take place through 

email and will include an attached letter 

of support from AHRQ. Interviews will 

last up to one hour. 

EXHIBIT 1—ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED BURDEN HOURS

Data collection activity 

Number of 

respondents 

per year 

Number of 

responses per 

respondent 

Hours per 

response 

Total burden 

hours 

In-depth Interviews with HAI NAP Stakeholders with expertise pertaining to: 9 ........................ ........................ ........................

• Acute Care Hospital Settings ................................................................ 8 1 1 9 

• Ambulatory Surgical Centers ................................................................ 8 1 1 8 

• ESRD facilities ...................................................................................... 8 1 1 8 

• Long-Term Care Settings ..................................................................... ........................ 1 1 8 

Total ................................................................................................... 33 1 1 33 

EXHIBIT 2—ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST BURDEN

Data collection activity Number of 

respondents 

Total burden 

hours 

Average 

hourly wage 

rate 

Total cost 

burden 

In-depth Interviews with external stakeholders: 

• Acute Care Hospital Settings ................................................................ 9 9 *$34.33 $309.00 

• Ambulatory Surgical Centers ................................................................ 8 8 *34.33 275.00 

• ESRD facilities ...................................................................................... 8 8 *34.33 275.00 

• Long-Term Care Settings ..................................................................... 8 8 *34.33 275.00 

Total ................................................................................................... 33 na na 1,134.00 

* Based upon May 2012 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for Epidemiologists, retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/oes/

current/oesnat.htm#19–0000 on February 20, 2014. 

Request for Comments 

In accordance with the Paperwork 

Reduction Act, comments on AHRQ’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 AHRQ health care 

research and health care information 

dissemination functions, including 

whether the information will have 

practical utility; (b) the accuracy of 

AHRQ’s estimate of burden (including 

hours and costs) of the proposed 

collection(s) of information; (c) ways to 


rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 145 / Tuesday, July 29, 2014 / Notices 44035 

enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 

of the information to be collected; and 

(d) ways to minimize the burden of the 

collection of information upon the 

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 Agency’s subsequent 

request for OMB approval of the 

proposed information collection. All 

comments will become a matter of 

public record. 

Dated: July 15, 2014. 

Richard Kronick, 

AHRQ Director. 

[FR Doc. 2014–17660 Filed 7–28–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4160–90–M 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention 

Advisory Committee to the Director 

(ACD), Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention—Health Disparities 

Subcommittee (HDS) 

In accordance with section 10(a)(2) of 

the Federal Advisory Committee Act 

(Pub. L. 92–463), the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC) 

announces the following meeting of the 

aforementioned subcommittee: 

Time and Date 

10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. EDT, August 

19, 2014. 

PLACE: Teleconference. 

STATUS: This meeting is open to the 

public, limited only by the availability 

of telephone ports. The public is 

welcome to participate during the 

public comment period, which is 

tentatively scheduled from 11:20 to 

11:30 a.m. To participate on the 

teleconference, please dial (866) 763– 

0273 and enter code 6158968. 

PURPOSE: The Subcommittee will 

provide advice to the CDC Director 

through the ACD on strategic and other 

health disparities and health equity 

issues and provide guidance on 

opportunities for CDC. 

MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION: The Health 

Disparities Subcommittee (HDS) 

members will discuss progress to date 

on the recommendations approved by 

the CDC ACD in April 2014 and review 

updates on previously established 

priorities of the HDS. 

The agenda is subject to change as 

priorities dictate. 

CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

Leandris Liburd, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.A., 

Designated Federal Officer, Health 

Disparities Subcommittee, Advisory 

Committee to the Director, CDC, 1600 

Clifton Road NE., M/S K–77, Atlanta, 

Georgia 30333. Telephone (770) 488– 

8182, Email: LEL1@cdc.gov. The 

Director, Management Analysis and 

Services Office, has been delegated the 

authority to sign Federal Register 

notices pertaining to announcements of 

meetings and other committee 

management activities, for both the 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention and the Agency for Toxic 

Substances and Disease Registry. 

Elaine L. Baker, 

Director, Management Analysis and Services 

Office, Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention. 

[FR Doc. 2014–17737 Filed 7–28–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4163–18–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention 

Disease, Disability, and Injury 

Prevention and Control Special 

Emphasis Panel (SEP): Initial Review 

The meeting announced below 

concerns the NIOSH Assessment of 

Elastomeric Respirators in Healthcare 

Environments, RFA–OH–14–009, initial 

review. 

In accordance with Section 10(a)(2) of 

the Federal Advisory Committee Act 

(Pub. L. 92–463), the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC) 

announces the aforementioned meeting: 

Time and Date 

1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m., August 20, 2014 

(Closed) 

PLACE: Teleconference 

STATUS: The meeting will be closed to 

the public in accordance with 

provisions set forth in Section 552b(c) 

(4) and (6), Title 5 U.S.C., and the 

Determination of the Director, 

Management Analysis and Services 

Office, CDC, pursuant to Public Law 92– 

463. 

MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION: The meeting 

will include the initial review, 

discussion, and evaluation of 

applications received in response to the 

‘‘NIOSH Assessment of Elastomeric 

Respirators in Healthcare Environments, 

RFA–OH–14–009.’’ 

CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

Donald Blackman, Ph.D., Scientific 

Review Officer, CDC, 2400 Century 

Center Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30345, 

Telephone: (404) 498–6185. 

The Director, Management Analysis 

and Services Office, has been delegated 

the authority to sign Federal Register 

notices pertaining to announcements of 

meetings and other committee 

management activities, for both the 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention and the Agency for Toxic 

Substances and Disease Registry. 

Gary Johnson, 

Acting Director, Management Analysis and 

Services Office, Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention. 

[FR Doc. 2014–17804 Filed 7–28–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4163–18–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention 

Meetings; Board of Scientific 

Counselors, Office of Infectious 

Diseases (BSC, OID) 

In accordance with section 10(a)(2) of 

the Federal Advisory Committee Act 

(Pub. L. 92–463), the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC), 

announces the following meeting of the 

aforementioned committee: 

Time and Date 

1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT, August 19, 2014 

Place: Teleconference. 

Status: The meeting is open to the 

public; the toll free dial in number is 1– 

877–951–7311 with a pass code of 

7634914. 

Purpose: The BSC, OID, provides 

advice and guidance to the Secretary, 

Department of Health and Human 

Services; the Director, CDC; the 

Director, OID; and the Directors of the 

National Center for Immunization and 

Respiratory Diseases, the National 

Center for Emerging and Zoonotic 

Infectious Diseases, and the National 

Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, 

STD, and TB Prevention, CDC, in the 

following areas: strategies, goals, and 

priorities for programs; research within 

the national centers; and overall 

strategic direction and focus of OID and 

the national centers. 

Matters for Discussion: The following 

topics will be discussed: (1) reports back 

from the May 2014 BSC, OID, working 

group meetings and (2) an update from 

OID on recent outbreak responses and 

national center priorities. 

The agenda and any supplemental 

material will be available at 

www.cdc.gov/oid/BSC.html after August 

10. 


rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES