22892 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 74 / Monday, April 18, 2022 / Notices 

whether the information will have 

practical utility; 

2. Evaluate the accuracy of the 

agency’s estimate of the burden of the 

proposed collection of information, 

including the validity of the 

methodology and assumptions used; 

3. Enhance the quality, utility, and 

clarity of the information to be 

collected; 

4. Minimize the burden of the 

collection of information on those who 

are to respond, including through the 

use of appropriate automated, 

electronic, mechanical, or other 

technological collection techniques or 

other forms of information technology, 

e.g., permitting electronic submissions 

of responses; and 

5. Assess information collection costs. 

Proposed Project 

Data Calls for the Laboratory 

Response Network (LRN) (OMB Control 

No. 0920–0881, Exp. 06/30/2022)— 

Extension—National Center for 

Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious 

Diseases (NCEZID), Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Background and Brief Description 

The Laboratory Response Network 

(LRN) was established by the 

Department of Health and Human 

Services (HHS), Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC) in 

accordance with Presidential Decision 

Directive 39 which outlined national 

anti-terrorism policies and assigned 

specific missions to Federal 

Departments and Agencies. The 

Administration has stated that it is the 

policy of the United States to use all 

appropriate means, to deter, defeat, and 

respond to all terrorist attacks on our 

territory and resources, both with 

people and facilities. The LRN’s mission 

is to maintain an integrated national and 

international network of laboratories 

that can respond quickly to suspected 

acts of biological, chemical, or 

radiological terrorism, emerging 

infectious diseases, and other public 

health threats and emergencies. Federal, 

state and local public health laboratories 

join the LRN voluntarily. 

When laboratories join, they assume 

specific responsibilities and are 

required to provide facility information 

to the LRN Program Office at CDC, as 

well as test results for real samples or 

proficiency tests. LRN laboratories 

participate in Proficiency Testing 

Challenges, Exercises and Validation 

Studies each year. LRN information 

collection is covered by OMB Control 

No. 0920–0850. Periodically, CDC may 

conduct a Special Data Call to obtain 

additional information from LRN 

laboratories regarding biological or 

chemical terrorism, or emerging 

infectious disease preparedness. 

Although the LRN Program Office at 

CDC has an extensive database of 

information regarding all network 

members, LRN Special Data Calls are 

sometimes needed to address issues 

concerning the response capabilities of 

member facilities for priority threat 

agents or to assess the network’s ability 

to respond to new emerging threats. 

Special Data Calls may be conducted via 

broadcast email that asks respondents to 

send information via email to the LRN 

Help Desk or through online survey 

tools (i.e., Survey Monkey) which 

require respondents to go to a web link 

and answer a series of questions. 

This request for Extension is for a 

Generic Clearance that is necessary for 

any impromptu data calls that are 

needed. CDC requests OMB approval for 

an estimated 94 annual burden hours. 

There are no costs to respondents other 

than their time to participate. 

ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED BURDEN HOURS

Type of respondent Form name Number of 

respondents 

Number 

responses per 

respondent 

Average 

burden per 

response 

(in hours) 

Total burden 

hours 

Public Health Laboratories ................ Special Data Call ............................. 187 1 30/60 94 

Total ........................................... ........................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................ 94 

Jeffrey M. Zirger, 

Lead, Information Collection Review Office, 

Office of Scientific Integrity, Office of Science, 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

[FR Doc. 2022–08215 Filed 4–15–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4163–18–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention 

[60-Day–22–1011; Docket No. CDC–2022– 

0047] 

Proposed Data Collection Submitted 

for Public Comment and 

Recommendations 

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC), Department of Health 

and Human Services (HHS). 

ACTION: Notice with comment period. 

SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC), as part of 

its continuing effort to reduce public 

burden and maximize the utility of 

government information, invites the 

general public and other federal 

agencies the opportunity to comment on 

a continuing information collection, as 

required by the Paperwork Reduction 

Act of 1995. This notice invites 

comment on a request for extension of 

an approved information collection 

titled Emergency Epidemic Investigation 

Data Collections. CDC uses the 

information collected to identify 

prevention and control measures in 

response to outbreaks and other public 

health events. 

DATES: CDC must receive written 

comments on or before June 17, 2022. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, 

identified by Docket No. CDC–2022– 

0047 by either of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: 

Regulations.gov. Follow the instructions 

for submitting comments. 

• Mail: Jeffrey M. Zirger, Information 

Collection Review Office, Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 

Clifton Road NE, MS H21–8, Atlanta, 

Georgia 30329. 

Instructions: All submissions received 

must include the agency name and 

Docket Number. CDC will post, without 

change, all relevant comments to 

regulations.gov. 

Please note: Submit all comments 

through the Federal eRulemaking portal 

(regulations.gov) or by U.S. mail to the 

address listed above. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 74 / Monday, April 18, 2022 / Notices 22893 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To 

request more information on the 

proposed project or to obtain a copy of 

the information collection plan and 

instruments, contact Jeffrey M. Zirger, 

Information Collection Review Office, 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS 

H21–8, Atlanta, Georgia 30329; phone: 

404–639–7570; email: omb@cdc.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) 

(44 U.S.C. 3501–3520), federal agencies 

must obtain approval from the Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) for each 

collection of information they conduct 

or sponsor. In addition, the PRA also 

requires federal agencies to provide a 

60-day notice in the Federal Register 

concerning each proposed collection of 

information, including each new 

proposed collection, each proposed 

extension of existing collection of 

information, and each reinstatement of 

previously approved information 

collection before submitting the 

collection to the OMB for approval. To 

comply with this requirement, we are 

publishing this notice of a proposed 

data collection as described below. 

The OMB is particularly interested in 

comments that will help: 

1. Evaluate whether the proposed 

collection of information is necessary 

for the proper performance of the 

functions of the agency, including 

whether the information will have 

practical utility; 

2. Evaluate the accuracy of the 

agency’s estimate of the burden of the 

proposed collection of information, 

including the validity of the 

methodology and assumptions used; 

3. Enhance the quality, utility, and 

clarity of the information to be 

collected; 

4. Minimize the burden of the 

collection of information on those who 

are to respond, including through the 

use of appropriate automated, 

electronic, mechanical, or other 

technological collection techniques or 

other forms of information technology, 

e.g., permitting electronic submissions 

of responses; and 

5. Assess information collection costs. 

Proposed Project 

Emergency Epidemic Investigation 

Data Collections (OMB Control No. 

0920–1011, Exp. 1/31/2023)—Extension 

—Division of Scientific Education and 

Professional Development (DSEPD), 

Center for Surveillance, Education, and 

Laboratory Services (CSELS), Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). 

Background and Brief Description 

CDC previously conducted Emergency 

Epidemic Investigations (EEIs) under 

Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) Control No. 0920–0008. In 2013, 

CDC received OMB approval (OMB 

Control No. 0920–1011) for a new OMB 

generic clearance for a three-year period 

to collect vital information during EEIs 

in response to outbreaks or other urgent 

public health events (i.e., natural, 

biological, chemical, nuclear, 

radiological), characterized by 

undetermined agents, undetermined 

sources, undetermined transmission, or 

undetermined risk factors. This generic 

clearance was approved in 2020 for a 

three-year extension, which expires on 

1/31/2023. CDC seeks OMB approval for 

an extension of this Generic clearance 

for an additional three-year period. 

Supporting effective emergency 

epidemic investigations is one of the 

most important ways that CDC protects 

the health of the public. CDC is 

frequently called upon to conduct EEIs 

at the request of local, state, or 

international health authorities seeking 

support to respond to outbreaks or 

urgent public health events. In response 

to external partner requests, CDC 

provides necessary epidemiologic 

support to identify the agents, sources, 

modes of transmission, or risk factors to 

effectively implement rapid prevention 

and control measures to protect the 

public’s health. Data collection is a 

critical component of the epidemiologic 

support provided by CDC; data are 

analyzed to determine the agents, 

sources, modes of transmission, or risk 

factors so that effective prevention and 

control measures can be implemented. 

During an unanticipated outbreak or 

urgent public health event, immediate 

action by CDC is necessary to minimize 

or prevent public harm. The legal 

justification for EEIs are found in the 

Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 

Sec. 301 [241] (a)). 

Successful investigations are 

dependent on rapid and flexible data 

collection that evolves during the 

investigation and is customized to the 

unique circumstances of each outbreak 

or urgent public health event. Data 

collection elements will be those 

necessary to identify the agents, sources, 

mode of transmission, or risk factors. 

Examples of potential data collection 

methods include telephone or face-toface interview; email, web, or other type 

of electronic questionnaire; paper-andpencil questionnaire; focus groups; 

medical record review and abstraction; 

laboratory record review and 

abstraction; collection of clinical 

samples; and environmental assessment. 

Respondents will vary depending on the 

nature of the outbreak or urgent public 

health event. Examples of potential 

respondents include health care 

professionals, patients, laboratorians, 

and the general public. 

CDC projects 60 EEIs in response to 

outbreaks or urgent public health events 

characterized by undetermined agents, 

undetermined sources, undetermined 

transmission, or undetermined risk 

factors annually. The projected average 

number of respondents is 200 per EEI, 

for a total of 12,000 respondents. CDC 

estimates the average burden per 

response is 30 minutes and each 

respondent will be asked to respond 

once. Based on the reported burden for 

EEIs that have been performed during 

previous years, the total estimated 

annual burden hours are 6,000. 

Participation in EEIs is voluntary and 

there are no anticipated costs to 

respondents other than their time. 

ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED BURDEN HOURS

Type of respondent Form name Number of 

respondents 

Number of 

responses per 

respondent 

Average 

burden per 

response 

(in hours) 

Total burden 

hours 

(in hours) 

Emergency Epidemic Investigation 

Participants.

Emergency Epidemic Investigation 

Data Collection Instruments.

12,000 1 30/60 6,000 

Total ........................................... ........................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................ 6,000 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
22894 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 74 / Monday, April 18, 2022 / Notices 

Jeffrey M. Zirger, 

Lead, Information Collection Review Office, 

Office of Scientific Integrity, Office of Science, 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

[FR Doc. 2022–08216 Filed 4–15–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4163–18–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 

Services 

[CMS–3424–PN] 

Medicare and Medicaid Programs: 

Application From Det Norske Veritas 

for Continued Approval of Its Hospital 

Accreditation Program 

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare and 

Medicaid Services, HHS. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: This notice acknowledges the 

receipt of an application from Det 

Norske Veritas for continued 

recognition as a national accrediting 

organization for hospitals that wish to 

participate in the Medicare or Medicaid 

programs. 

DATES: To be assured consideration, 

comments must be received at one of 

the addresses provided below, no later 

than 5 p.m. on May 18, 2022. 

ADDRESSES: In commenting, please refer 

to file code CMS–3424–PN. Because of 

staff and resource limitations, we cannot 

accept comments by facsimile (FAX) 

transmission. 

Comments, including mass comment 

submissions, must be submitted in one 

of the following three ways (please 

choose only one of the ways listed): 

1. Electronically. You may submit 

electronic comments on this regulation 

to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow 

the ‘‘submit a comment’’ instructions. 

2. By regular mail. You may mail 

written comments to the following 

address ONLY: Centers for Medicare & 

Medicaid Services, Department of 

Health and Human Services, Attention: 

CMS–3424–PN, P.O. Box 8016, 

Baltimore, MD 21244–8010. 

Please allow sufficient time for mailed 

comments to be received before the 

close of the comment period. 

3. By express or overnight mail. You 

may send written comments to the 

following address ONLY: Centers for 

Medicare & Medicaid Services, 

Department of Health and Human 

Services, Attention: CMS–3424–PN, 

Mail Stop C4–26–05, 7500 Security 

Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850. 

For information on viewing public 

comments, see the beginning of the 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joy 

Webb, (410) 786–1667. Lillian William, 

(410) 786–8636. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Inspection of Public Comments: All 

comments received before the close of 

the comment period are available for 

viewing by the public, including any 

personally identifiable or confidential 

business information that is included in 

a comment. We post all comments 

received before the close of the 

comment period on the following 

website as soon as possible after they 

have been received: http://

www.regulations.gov. Follow the search 

instructions on that website to view 

public comments. CMS will not post on 

Regulations.gov public comments that 

make threats to individuals or 

institutions or suggest that the 

individual will take actions to harm the 

individual. CMS continues to encourage 

individuals not to submit duplicative 

comments. We will post acceptable 

comments from multiple unique 

commenters even if the content is 

identical or nearly identical to other 

comments. 

I. Background 

Under the Medicare program, eligible 

beneficiaries may receive covered 

services from a hospital provided 

certain requirements are met. Section 

1861(e) of the Social Security Act (the 

Act), establishes distinct criteria for 

facilities seeking designation as a 

hospital. Regulations concerning 

provider agreements are at 42 CFR part 

489 and those pertaining to activities 

relating to the survey and certification 

of facilities are at 42 CFR part 488. The 

regulations at 42 CFR part 482 specify 

the minimum conditions that a hospital 

must meet to participate in the Medicare 

program. 

Generally, to enter into an agreement, 

a hospital must first be certified by a 

state survey agency (SA) as complying 

with the conditions or requirements set 

forth in part 482 of our regulations. 

Thereafter, the hospital is subject to 

regular surveys by a SA to determine 

whether it continues to meet these 

requirements. 

Section 1865(a)(1) of the Act provides 

that, if a provider entity demonstrates 

through accreditation by a Centers for 

Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 

approved national accrediting 

organization (AO) that all applicable 

Medicare conditions are met or 

exceeded, we will deem those provider 

entities as having met the requirements. 

Accreditation by an AO is voluntary and 

is not required for Medicare 

participation. 

If an AO is recognized by the 

Secretary of the Department of Health 

and Human Services (the Secretary) as 

having standards for accreditation that 

meet or exceed Medicare requirements, 

any provider entity accredited by the 

national accrediting body’s approved 

program would be deemed to meet the 

Medicare conditions. A national AO 

applying for approval of its 

accreditation program under part 488, 

subpart A, must provide CMS with 

reasonable assurance that the AO 

requires the accredited provider entities 

to meet requirements that are at least as 

stringent as the Medicare conditions. 

Our regulations concerning the approval 

of AOs are set forth at §§ 488.4 and 

488.5. The regulations at § 488.5(e)(2)(i) 

require AOs to reapply for continued 

approval of its accreditation program 

every 6 years or sooner as determined 

by CMS. 

Det Norske Veritas’ current term of 

approval for their hospital accreditation 

program expires September 26, 2022. 

II. Approval of Deeming Organization 

Section 1865(a)(2) of the Act and our 

regulations at § 488.5 require that our 

findings concerning review and 

approval of a national AO’s 

requirements consider, among other 

factors, the applying AO’s requirements 

for accreditation; survey procedures; 

resources for conducting required 

surveys; capacity to furnish information 

for use in enforcement activities; 

monitoring procedures for provider 

entities found not in compliance with 

the conditions or requirements; and 

ability to provide CMS with the 

necessary data for validation. 

Section 1865(a)(3)(A) of the Act 

further requires that we publish, within 

60 days of receipt of an organization’s 

complete application, a notice 

identifying the national accrediting 

body making the request, describing the 

nature of the request, and providing at 

least a 30-day public comment period. 

We have 210 days from the receipt of a 

complete application to publish notice 

of approval or denial of the application. 

The purpose of this proposed notice 

is to inform the public of Det Norske 

Veritas’ request for continued approval 

of its hospital accreditation program. 

This notice also solicits public comment 

on whether Det Norske Veritas’ 

requirements meet or exceed the 

Medicare conditions of participation 

(CoPs) for hospitals. 

III. Evaluation of Deeming Authority 

Request 

Det Norske Veritas submitted all the 

necessary materials to enable us to make 

a determination concerning its request 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES