[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 98 (Monday, May 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27975-27976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-12754]


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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.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the intention of the Agency for 
Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) to grant a ``Voluntary Customer 
Satisfaction Survey Generic Clearance for the Agency for Healthcare 
Research and Quality.'' 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 to comment on this proposed information collection request to 
allow AHRQ to conduct these customer satisfaction surveys.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by July 20, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: Cynthia D. 
McMichael, Reports Clearance Officer, AHRQ, 2101 East Jefferson Street, 
Suite 500, Rockville, MD 20852-4908.
    All comments will become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia D. McMichael, AHRQ, Reports 
Clearance Officer, (301) 594-3132.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Proposed Project

Voluntary Customer Satisfaction Survey Generic Clearance for the Agency 
for Healthcare Research and Quality

    In response to Executive Order 12862, the Agency for Healthcare 
Research and Quality (AHRQ) plans to conduct voluntary customer 
satisfaction surveys to assess strengths and weaknesses in program 
services. Customer satisfaction surveys to be conducted by AHRQ may 
include readership surveys from individuals using AHRQ automated and 
electronic technology data bases to determine satisfaction with the 
information provided or surveys to assess effects of the grants 
streamlining efforts. Results of these surveys will be used in future 
program planning initiatives and to redirect resources and efforts, as 
needed, to improve AHRQ program services.
    The current clearance will expire December 31, 2001. A generic 
approval will be requested from OMB to conduct customer satisfaction 
surveys over the next three years.

Method of Collection

    The data will be collected using a combination of preferred 
methodologies appropriate to each survey. These methodologies are:
    <bullet> Evaluation forms;
    <bullet> Mail surveys;
    <bullet> Focus groups;
    <bullet> Automated and electronic technology (e.g., instant fax, 
on-line, feedback forms for AHRQ Clearinghouse Publications); and
    <bullet> Telephone surveys.
    The estimated annual hour burden is as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Average
                                                      burden/     Total
            Type of survey              Number of     response    hours
                                       respondents   (hours per     of
                                                    respondent)   burden
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Mail/Telephone Surveys...............      51,200         .15      7,680
Automated/Web-based..................      52,000         .163     8,476
Focus Groups.........................         200        1.0         200
                                      ----------------------------------
    Totals...........................     103,400         .159    16,441
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Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) The necessity of the proposed 
collections; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection 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

[[Page 27976]]

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 request for OMB approval of the proposed 
information collection. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.
    Copies of these proposed collection plans and instruments can be 
obtained from the AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer (see above).

    Dated: May 10, 2001.
John M. Eisenberg,
Director.
[FR Doc. 01-12754 Filed 5-18-01; 8:45 am]
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