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 Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
 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: “Building an Implementation Toolset for E-Prescribing.” In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), AHRQ invites the public 
                        ( print page 18723)
                        to comment on this proposed information collection.
 DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 23, 2009.
 ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: Doris Lefkowitz, Reports Clearance Officer, AHRQ, by e-mail 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 e-mail at 
                        *doris.lefkowitz@ahrg.hhs.gov.*


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  Proposed Project “Building an Implementation Toolset for E-Prescribing” AHRQ proposes to develop and test an electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) toolset to provide information and tools of sufficient detail to act as a “how-to guide” for implementing e-prescribing across various organizational settings. The current system of prescribing and dispensing medications in the United States poses widespread safety and efficiency problems. E-prescribing systems have the potential to avert some of the more than 2 million adverse drug events (ADEs) annually, of which 130,000 are life threatening. E-prescribing also has enormous potential to create savings in health care costs, both through reducing ADEs and through more efficient work processes of prescribers and pharmacists. One recent study estimated the potential savings at $27 billion per year in the United States. [Johnston D, Pan E, Middleton B, Walker J, Bates DW. The value of computerized provider order entry in ambulatory settings. 2003 [cited 2003/12/10]. Available from: 
                    *http://www.citl.org/​research/​ACPOE_​Executive_​Preview.pdf.*] The Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003, Public Law 108-173, provided that Medicare Part D sponsors are required to establish electronic prescription drug programs to provide for electronic transmittal of certain information to the prescribing provider and dispensing pharmacy and the dispenser. There is no requirement that prescribers or dispensers implement e-prescribing, but those who do electronically transmit prescription and certain other prescription-related information for Medicare Part D covered drugs prescribed for Medicare Part D eligible individuals, either directly or through an intermediary, are required to comply with any applicable final standards that are in effect. However, adoption of e-prescribing technology remains limited. On the surface, e-prescribing involves getting a prescription from point A to point B. In reality, the complexity of e-prescribing reflects all aspects of the process from appropriate prescribing, through dispensing, to correct patient use. Much current work has been on the adoption of technical standards that establish a common language, contain technical specifications, and provide other specific criteria designed to be used consistently as rules or definitions. While standards are a necessary foundation for e-prescribing systems, they are insufficient in themselves to insure a successful implementation. Of equal importance to successful e-prescribing implementations are appropriate workflows and sustainable commitment from the various organizations that must participate in such a system. This Accelerating Change and Transformation in Organizations and Networks (ACTION) project will produce a toolset to help a diverse range of provider organizations, from small independent offices to large medical groups to “safety net” clinics, to adopt e-prescribing systems and use them effectively in ways that advance the organization's goals. By enabling the greater adoption of e-prescribing systems that are effective in improving safety, quality and reducing prescription drug costs, the project will advance each of the priorities embodied in AHRQ's mission, which is to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans. This work is being conducted by the RAND Corporation under AHRQ ACTION contract HHSA290200600017, Task Order #4, period of performance—8/1/08-1/31/10. It is being conducted pursuant to AHRQ's statutory authority to conduct research and evaluations (1) on health care and systems for the delivery of such care, including activities with respect to health care technologies, facilities and equipment, 42 U.S.C. 299a(a)(5), and (2) to advance training for health care practitioners and researchers in the use of information systems. 42 U.S.C. 299b-3(a)(2). Method of Collection In order to evaluate the draft toolset's usability and usefulness, we will pilot test the toolset by studying its effects among 6 practices that are attempting to implement e-prescribing for the first time. Field researchers will visit each practice before and after the e-prescribing implementation effort to conduct semi-structured interviews and observations of work processes. Finally, selected members of the practices will be surveyed via a web-based instrument regarding the effort's success and the degree to which elements of the toolset were helpful. Estimated Annual Respondent Burden Exhibit 1 shows the estimated annualized burden hours for the respondents' time to participate in this project. Pre-test and post-test interviews will be conducted with 3 physicians, 3 nurses or clinical support staff and 3 other staff from each of the 6 test sites. Eight physicians from each of the 6 test sites will complete the physician survey and 12 other staff from each site will complete the other staff survey. The total burden hours are estimated to be 168 hours. Exhibit 2 shows the estimated annualized cost burden associated with the respondent's time to participate in this project. The total cost burden is estimated to be $7,423. Exhibit 1—Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
Form name
Number of sites
Number of
                             responses per site
Hours per
                             response
Total burden
                             hoursPre-test Interviews:Physician interviews
6
3
1
18Nurse or clinical support interviews
6
3
1
18Other staff interviews
6
3
1
18Post-test interviews:Physician interviews
6
3
1
18Nurse or clinical support interviews
6
3
1
18( print page 18724)Other staff interviews
6
3
1
18Web-based survey:Physician survey
6
8
30/60
24Other staff survey
6
12
30/60
36Total
48
(1
                            )
(1
                            )
1681
                         Not applicable.
 Exhibit 2—Estimated Annualized Cost Burden
Form name
Number of sites
Total burden
                             hours
Average
                             hourly wage 
                             rate *
Total cost
                             burdenPre-test Interviews:Physician interviews
6
18
$78.24
$1,408Nurse or clinical support interviews
6
18
30.42
548Other staff interviews
6
18
14.97
269Post-test interviews:Physician interviews
6
18
78.24
1,408Nurse or clinical support interviews
6
18
30.42
548Other staff interviews
6
18
14.97
269Web-based survey:Physician survey
6
24
78.24
1,878Other staff survey
6
36
30.42
1,095Total
48
168
(1
                            )
7,423* Based upon the mean of the national average hourly wages for physicians and surgeons, registered nurses, and medical secretaries, National Compensation Survey: Occupational wages in the United States July 2007, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.1
                         Not applicable.
 Estimated Annual Costs to the Federal Government Exhibit 3 shows the estimated total and annual costs of this project. Since data collection will not exceed one year, the total and annual costs are the same. The total cost is estimated to be $119,976. Exhibit 3—Estimated Total and Annual Cost
Cost component
Total cost
Annualized
                             costInstrument Development
$12,533
$12,533Data Collection Activities
33,422
33,422Data Processing and Analysis
16,711
16,711Report Preparation/Publication
16,711
16,711Project Management
4,178
4,178Overhead
36,421
36,421Total
119,976
119,976
 Request for Comments In accordance with the above-cited Paperwork Reduction Act legislation, comments on AHRQs 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 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: April 15, 2009. Carolyn M. Clancy, Director.


[FR Doc. E9-9247 Filed 4-23-09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160-90-M