Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request, 18725-18726 [E9-9248]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 78 / Friday, April 24, 2009 / Notices
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.
SUMMARY: This notice announces the
intention of the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request
that the Office of Management and
Budget (0MB) approve the proposed
information collection project:
‘‘Evaluation of Phase I Demonstrations
of the Pharmacy Quality Alliance.’’ 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.
This proposed information collection
was previously published in the Federal
Register on February 10th, 2009 and
allowed 60 days for public comment.
One comment was received. The
purpose of this notice is to allow an
additional 30 days for public comment.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be
received by May 26, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should
be submitted to: AHRQ’s 0MB Desk
Officer by fax at (202) 395–6974
(attention: AHRQ’s desk officer) or by email at OIRA_submissionomb.eop.gov
(attention: AHRQ’s desk officer).
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:
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
‘‘Evaluation of Phase I Demonstrations
of the Pharmacy Quality Alliance’’
AHRQ proposes to conduct an
independent evaluation of five Phase I
demonstrations undertaken by the
Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA). The
PQA launched the five demonstration
projects to test the feasibility of
implementing a pharmacy provider
report card system, which will be used
to provide feedback to pharmacies on
VerDate Nov<24>2008
16:20 Apr 23, 2009
Jkt 217001
18725
their performance. The goals of the
demonstrations are to obtain feedback
from pharmacists on the credibility of
the performance reports and their utility
in performance improvement, and to
identify the most efficient and useful
ways to implement a performance-based
quality reporting system. The evaluation
will be conducted for AHRQ by its
contractor, the CNA Corporation and
Thomas Jefferson Medical College.
The purpose of this evaluation is to
identify problems associated with the
implementation of a performance-based
quality reporting system. The evaluation
of the Phase I demonstrations will:
• Test the feasibility and utility of (1)
using 15 PQA claims-based measures on
pharmacy performance and (2) a survey
of consumers about their experience
with pharmacy services, which was
developed by the PQA;
• Determine the resource (time and
cost) requirements for collecting the
data and generating the pharmacy
performance reports; and
• Provide a base of knowledge that
enables the PQA to improve the
implementation process, increase
operational efficiency, reduce
operational costs, and enhance the
utility and validity of the performance
measures.
This project is being conducted
pursuant to AHRQ’s statutory authority
to conduct and support research and
evaluations on health care and on
systems for the delivery of such care,
including activities with respect to (1)
the quality, effectiveness, efficiency,
appropriateness and value of health care
services and (2) quality measurement
and improvement. 42 U.S.C. 299a(a)(l)
and (2).
• Usability of the performance
reports;
• Future directions for quality
measurement in the organization; and
• Respondent characteristics.
On-site interviews with key
demonstration participants.
On-site interviews will be conducted
with up to six persons at each of the five
demonstration sites. The study will try
to interview representatives from the
following job functions: (1) Pharmacy
operations management; (2) clinical
pharmacy staff; (3) quality
improvement; (4) utilization
management; (5) analytics management
responsible for oversight of performance
report analyses; (6) analytics staff
assigned to complete the performance
reports; (7) information technology (IT)
staff responsible for developing and/or
coordinating Internet components of the
project; and (8) senior management
(executive leadership, i.e., Vice
President level and above).
Method of Collection
The evaluation will include the
following two data collections: (1) Onsite interviews with key staff from each
demonstration project and (2) a survey
of pharmacy staff. The data will be
collected to obtain the following types
of information necessary for the
evaluation:
• Organizational background related
to quality measurement, organizational
resources for quality measurement;
• Measurement methodology;
• Opinions on the performance
measures;
• The process for disseminating the
performance measures;
• Incentives and penalties for
participation in pharmacy quality
improvement;
Estimated Annual Respondent Burden
PO 00000
Frm 00043
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Survey of Pharmacy Staff
A pharmacy staff survey will be
developed to yield additional
quantitative data about the
demonstration projects. The sample will
consist of practicing pharmacists who
are participating in the demonstration
sites and who received one or more of
the performance reports. It will also
include field managers and supervisors.
At each of the five sites, up to 100
pharmacy staff members will be
sampled, with an expected response rate
of 75 percent, yielding 75 respondents
per site.
Exhibit 1 shows the estimated
annualized burden hours for this one
year data collection. On-site interviews
will be conducted with 6 staff members
from each of the 5 demonstration
projects and will last about 1 hour and
15 minutes. The survey of pharmacists
will be completed by about 75 staff
members from each demonstration
project and is estimated to take 30
minutes to complete. The total
estimated annualized burden is 226
hours.
Exhibit 2 shows the estimated
annualized cost burden associated with
the respondents’ time to participate in
this evaluation. The cost burden is
estimated to be $10,753.
E:\FR\FM\24APN1.SGM
24APN1
18726
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 78 / Friday, April 24, 2009 / Notices
EXHIBIT 1—ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED BURDEN HOURS
Number of
responses
per project
Number of
projects
Form name
Hours per
response
Total burden
hours
Demonstration Staff Interviews ........................................................................
Survey of Pharmacists .....................................................................................
5
5
6
* 75
1.25
30/60
38
188
Total ..........................................................................................................
10
na
na
226
* We expect that some demonstration projects will have fewer than 75 responses, but we are indicating 75 responses here to avoid underestimating the response burden.
EXHIBIT 2—ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST BURDEN
Number of
projects
Form name
Total burden
hours
Average
hourly wage
rate *
Total cost
burden
Demonstration Staff Interviews ........................................................................
Survey of Pharmacists .....................................................................................
5
5
38
188
$47.58
47.58
$1,808
8,945
Total ..........................................................................................................
10
226
na
10,753
* Based on the national average wage for pharmacists (29–1051), National Compensation Survey: Occupational Wages in the United States
May 2007, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Estimated Annual Costs to the Federal
Government
The estimated total cost to the Federal
government for this one year evaluation
is $208,874. Exhibit 3 shows a
breakdown of the costs.
EXHIBIT 3—ESTIMATED ANNUAL COSTS
TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Component
Total
Developing the interview guide
and survey instrument ..............
Preparing 0MB clearance submission ............................................
Site visits to each demonstration
Analyzing the data from each
demonstration site. ....................
Preparing a final report .................
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Total .......................................
$33,905
16:20 Apr 23, 2009
Dated: April 15, 2009.
Carol M. Clancy,
Director.
[FR Doc. E9–9248 Filed 4–23–09; 8:45 am]
6,704
73,368
BILLING CODE 4160–90–M
54,835
40,062
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
208,874
Request for Comments
In accordance with the above-cited
Paperwork Reduction Act legislation,
comments on AHRQ’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
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
VerDate Nov<24>2008
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.
Jkt 217001
Health Resources and Services
Administration
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Submission for OMB
Review; Comment Request
Periodically, the Health Resources
and Services Administration (HRSA)
publishes abstracts of information
collection requests under review by the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB), in compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. Chapter 35). To request a copy of
the clearance requests submitted to
OMB for review, e-mail
paperwork@hrsa.gov or call the HRSA
Reports Clearance Office on (301) 443–
1129.
The following request has been
submitted to the Office of Management
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
and Budget for review under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995:
Proposed Project: Voluntary Partner
Surveys in the Health Resources and
Services Administration—(OMB No.
0915–0212): Extension
In response to Executive Order 12862,
the Health Resources and Services
Administration (HRSA) conducts
voluntary customer surveys of its
partners to assess strengths and
weaknesses in program services. To
continue the periodic customer or
partner satisfaction survey activities,
HRSA is requesting an extension of
approval from OMB. HRSA partners are,
typically, State or local governments,
health care facilities, health care
consortia, and health care providers.
Partner surveys to be conducted by
HRSA might include, for example, brief
surveys of grantees to determine
satisfaction with a technical assistance
contractor, or, in-class evaluation forms
completed by providers who receive
training from HRSA grantees, to
measure satisfaction with the training
experience. Results of these surveys will
be used to plan and direct program
efforts as needed to improve service.
Focus groups may also be used as a
potential method to obtain input on
services and training. Focus groups, inclass evaluation surveys, and
satisfaction surveys provide valuable
input from HRSA partners and
customers on agency services and
materials.
The estimated annual burden is as
follows:
E:\FR\FM\24APN1.SGM
24APN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 78 (Friday, April 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18725-18726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-9248]
[[Page 18725]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice announces the intention of the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request that the Office of
Management and Budget (0MB) approve the proposed information collection
project: ``Evaluation of Phase I Demonstrations of the Pharmacy Quality
Alliance.'' 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.
This proposed information collection was previously published in
the Federal Register on February 10th, 2009 and allowed 60 days for
public comment. One comment was received. The purpose of this notice is
to allow an additional 30 days for public comment.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 26, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: AHRQ's 0MB Desk
Officer by fax at (202) 395-6974 (attention: AHRQ's desk officer) or by
e-mail at OIRA--submissionomb.eop.gov (attention: AHRQ's desk officer).
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:
``Evaluation of Phase I Demonstrations of the Pharmacy Quality
Alliance''
AHRQ proposes to conduct an independent evaluation of five Phase I
demonstrations undertaken by the Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA). The
PQA launched the five demonstration projects to test the feasibility of
implementing a pharmacy provider report card system, which will be used
to provide feedback to pharmacies on their performance. The goals of
the demonstrations are to obtain feedback from pharmacists on the
credibility of the performance reports and their utility in performance
improvement, and to identify the most efficient and useful ways to
implement a performance-based quality reporting system. The evaluation
will be conducted for AHRQ by its contractor, the CNA Corporation and
Thomas Jefferson Medical College.
The purpose of this evaluation is to identify problems associated
with the implementation of a performance-based quality reporting
system. The evaluation of the Phase I demonstrations will:
Test the feasibility and utility of (1) using 15 PQA
claims-based measures on pharmacy performance and (2) a survey of
consumers about their experience with pharmacy services, which was
developed by the PQA;
Determine the resource (time and cost) requirements for
collecting the data and generating the pharmacy performance reports;
and
Provide a base of knowledge that enables the PQA to
improve the implementation process, increase operational efficiency,
reduce operational costs, and enhance the utility and validity of the
performance measures.
This project is being conducted pursuant to AHRQ's statutory
authority to conduct and support research and evaluations on health
care and on systems for the delivery of such care, including activities
with respect to (1) the quality, effectiveness, efficiency,
appropriateness and value of health care services and (2) quality
measurement and improvement. 42 U.S.C. 299a(a)(l) and (2).
Method of Collection
The evaluation will include the following two data collections: (1)
On-site interviews with key staff from each demonstration project and
(2) a survey of pharmacy staff. The data will be collected to obtain
the following types of information necessary for the evaluation:
Organizational background related to quality measurement,
organizational resources for quality measurement;
Measurement methodology;
Opinions on the performance measures;
The process for disseminating the performance measures;
Incentives and penalties for participation in pharmacy
quality improvement;
Usability of the performance reports;
Future directions for quality measurement in the
organization; and
Respondent characteristics.
On-site interviews with key demonstration participants.
On-site interviews will be conducted with up to six persons at each
of the five demonstration sites. The study will try to interview
representatives from the following job functions: (1) Pharmacy
operations management; (2) clinical pharmacy staff; (3) quality
improvement; (4) utilization management; (5) analytics management
responsible for oversight of performance report analyses; (6) analytics
staff assigned to complete the performance reports; (7) information
technology (IT) staff responsible for developing and/or coordinating
Internet components of the project; and (8) senior management
(executive leadership, i.e., Vice President level and above).
Survey of Pharmacy Staff
A pharmacy staff survey will be developed to yield additional
quantitative data about the demonstration projects. The sample will
consist of practicing pharmacists who are participating in the
demonstration sites and who received one or more of the performance
reports. It will also include field managers and supervisors. At each
of the five sites, up to 100 pharmacy staff members will be sampled,
with an expected response rate of 75 percent, yielding 75 respondents
per site.
Estimated Annual Respondent Burden
Exhibit 1 shows the estimated annualized burden hours for this one
year data collection. On-site interviews will be conducted with 6 staff
members from each of the 5 demonstration projects and will last about 1
hour and 15 minutes. The survey of pharmacists will be completed by
about 75 staff members from each demonstration project and is estimated
to take 30 minutes to complete. The total estimated annualized burden
is 226 hours.
Exhibit 2 shows the estimated annualized cost burden associated
with the respondents' time to participate in this evaluation. The cost
burden is estimated to be $10,753.
[[Page 18726]]
Exhibit 1--Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
Form name Number of responses per Hours per Total burden
projects project response hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demonstration Staff Interviews.................. 5 6 1.25 38
Survey of Pharmacists........................... 5 * 75 30/60 188
---------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................................... 10 na na 226
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We expect that some demonstration projects will have fewer than 75 responses, but we are indicating 75
responses here to avoid underestimating the response burden.
Exhibit 2--Estimated Annualized Cost Burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Form name Number of Total burden hourly wage Total cost
projects hours rate * burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demonstration Staff Interviews.................. 5 38 $47.58 $1,808
Survey of Pharmacists........................... 5 188 47.58 8,945
---------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................................... 10 226 na 10,753
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Based on the national average wage for pharmacists (29-1051), National Compensation Survey: Occupational Wages
in the United States May 2007, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Estimated Annual Costs to the Federal Government
The estimated total cost to the Federal government for this one
year evaluation is $208,874. Exhibit 3 shows a breakdown of the costs.
Exhibit 3--Estimated Annual Costs to the Federal Government
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Component Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Developing the interview guide and survey instrument......... $33,905
Preparing 0MB clearance submission........................... 6,704
Site visits to each demonstration............................ 73,368
Analyzing the data from each demonstration site.............. 54,835
Preparing a final report..................................... 40,062
----------
Total.................................................... 208,874
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Comments
In accordance with the above-cited Paperwork Reduction Act
legislation, comments on AHRQ'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
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.
Carol M. Clancy,
Director.
[FR Doc. E9-9248 Filed 4-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-90-M
