[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 222 (Tuesday, November 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61511-61512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30209]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Health Care Policy and Research


General Reorganization; Statement of Organization, Functions, and 
Delegations of Authority

    Part E, Chapter E (Agency for Health Care Policy and Research), of 
the Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority 
for the Department of Health and Human Services (61 FR 15955, April 10, 
1996) is amended to reflect organizational

[[Page 61512]]

changes within the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR). 
Specifically, AHCPR is aligning functions so that the Agency can more 
efficiently and effectively meet the needs of other organizations for 
scientific information on which they can base clinical guidelines, 
performance measures, technology assessments, and other quality 
improvement tools. The Agency is establishing a new Center for Practice 
and Technology Assessment, in which will be located the Office of the 
Forum for Quality and Effectiveness in Health Care as well as the 
functions of the previous Center for Health Care Technology.
    Under Section E-10, Organization, following E. Office of Scientific 
Affairs, delete F. through N. and insert the following:
    F. Center for Cost and Financing Studies.
    G. Center for Health Information Dissemination.
    H. Center for Information Technology.
    I. Center for Organization and Delivery Studies.
    J. Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research.
    K. Center for Primary Care Research.
    L. Center for Quality Measurement and Improvement.
    M. Center for Practice and Technology Assessment.
    Under heading Section E-20, Functions, delete the titles and 
statements for the Office of the Forum for Quality and Effectiveness in 
Health Care (EB) and the Center for Health Care Technology (EE), and 
following the statement for the Center for Quality Measurement and 
Improvement (EL), insert the following title and statement:
    Center for Practice and Technology Assessment (EM). Conducts and 
supports systematic assessments of clinical practices and health care 
technologies as well as methodologic and implementation research. 
Specifically: (1) Conducts and supports the development of evidence 
reports and technology assessments on health care treatments, 
conditions, procedures, and technologies, including alternative and 
complementary therapies; (2) conducts and supports research focusing on 
methodologies used in systematic reviews and implementation of 
evidence-based recommendations, materials, and technologies assessments 
into the health care system; (3) facilitates the development and 
operations of a National Guideline Clearinghouse; (4) facilitates the 
work of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force; (5) represents the 
Agency in meetings with experts and organizations in the areas of 
evidence-based assessments of practice and technologies, and convenes 
conferences on these topics; and (6) is the focus of the Office of the 
Forum for Quality and Effectiveness in Health Care.
    All delegations and redelegations of authority to officers and 
employees of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research which were 
in effect immediately prior to the effective date of this 
reorganization shall continue in effect pending further redelegation, 
provided they are consistent with this reorganization.
    These changes are effective upon date of signature.

    Dated: October 31, 1997.
John M. Eisenberg,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-30209 Filed 11-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-90-M