[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 6, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53018-53019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17617]


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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 reinstate the information collection 
project: ``AHRQ-HRSA Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and 
Explosive (All Hazards) Preparedness Questionnaire for Healthcare 
Facilities for 2004 (CBRNE)''. In accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3506(C)(2)(A), AHRQ invites the public 
to comment on this proposed information collection.
    AHRQ obtained a six-month emergency collection approval for the 
first wave of this information collection. This reinstatement of the 
previous clearance approval coves the second wave of the same survey. 
The respondents will be queried as to their progress in achieving the 
preparedness goals reported in the first wave.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 7, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Written comments for the proposed information collection 
should be submitted to: Cynthia D. McMichael, Reports Clearance 
Officer, AHRQ, 540 Gaither Road, Room <greek-i>5022, Rockville, MD 
20850.
    Copies of the proposed collection plans, data collection 
instruments, and specific details on the estimated burden can obtained 
from the AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia D. McMichael, AHRQ Reports 
Clearance Officer, (301) 427-1651.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Proposed Project

    ``AHRQ-HRSA Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and 
Explosive (All Hazards) Preparedness Questionnaire for Healthcare 
Facilities for 2004 (CBRNE)''
    The Preparedness Questionnaire is an inventory of the U.S. 
hospitals which received support for preparedness activities under the 
HRSA National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program. This survey 
instrument is being designed for use by preparedness planners to 
measure local or regional hospital levels of preparedness for a 
chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) 
event. One point of contact is designated in each hospital to provide 
information on a range of topics that have been deemed essential by a 
panel of nationally-recognized experts on issues related to hospital 
preparedness for a CBRNE, i.e., an all hazards event.
    These topics include facility planning and administration; training 
and education; communication and notification; patient capacity; 
staffing and support; isolation and decontaminations; supplies, 
pharmaceuticals and laboratory support; and surveillance.
    The inventory, which was administered in 2004/2005 and will be 
again in 2006, will provide national, state, and regional levels of 
preparedness by type of hospital, as well as estimates of bed capacity 
and emergency increase (surge) capacity. This information will be used 
to ascertain the progress of the previously queried hospitals in 
attaining their preparedness goals.
    In addition to determination the capacity of the survey instrument 
to actually collect information needed for local and regional planning, 
it should also be useful for national planning, program planning, 
setting priority areas in addressing current and future needs, as well 
as ensuring that scarce resources are being used in a way that achieves 
the most impact in preparedness.

Data Confidentiality Provisions

    The data will be collected by an independent consulting firm under 
terms of its contract. The identifiable information about institutions 
will be kept confidential in accordance with 42 USC 299c-3(c). AHRQ and 
HRSA will receive only state-level summary data, and not individual 
hospital responses.

Method of Collection

    The preparedness questionnaire will be administered electronically 
to each hospital via electronic mail. The estimated burden is as 
follows:

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden

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    Number of questionnaire                                  Total hours
          recipients            Estimated burden/respondent    of burden
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1479..........................  60 minutes.................         1479
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The estimate burden is based on the completion of a paper version 
of the questionnaire by a pilot hospital. The more efficient data 
collection effort enabled by the electronic format has been taken into 
account in this estimate. The annualized cost to all potential 
respondents is estimated at $51,528 Total ($34.84/hr [average staff 
time] x 1 hr. x 1479 respondents). Percentage of capital costs, 
operating costs or maintenance costs are negligible.
    A stratified random sample by state will be used in this second 
wave survey. This second wave (resurvey) is utilizing statistical 
methods based on baseline data in developing a sampling scheme.

Request for Comments

    In accordance with the above cited Paperwork Reduction Act 
legislation, comments on the AHRQ's and HRSA'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 functions of AHRQ and HRSA, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and costs) of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d)

[[Page 53019]]

ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
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.

    Dated: August 12, 2005.
Carolyn M. Clancy,
Director.
[FR Doc. 05-17617 Filed 9-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-90-M