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

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


### 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 yearfor 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—E STIMATED 

### A NNUALIZED 

### B URDEN 

### H OURS

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—E STIMATED 

### A NNUALIZED 

### COST 

### B URDEN

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


### 44035 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 145 / Tuesday, July 29, 2014 / Notices

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.