Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request, 66534-66536 [2015-27499]

Download as PDF 66534 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 209 / Thursday, October 29, 2015 / Notices and after a transaction, the contractor be exempted from providing information on predecessor entities. According to the respondent, this is consistent with the Government’s exclusion of a ‘‘new offices/divisions of the same company’’ from the definition of ‘‘successor.’’ Response: This recommendation does not meet the requirements of the statute. Comment: One respondent commented that contracting officers and their counsel perform a rigorous review and analysis to deal with the novation process and feels that there should be no requirement to identify prior owners within the FAPIIS because the required responsibility determination would have been conducted through novation. Response: The statute requires collection of information on predecessor, regardless of any novation action by the Government. Comment: The respondent commented that the reporting of the ultimate owners became effective on November 1, 2014, and believe that agencies should allow contractors and contracting officers time to implement and evaluate the results of this new requirement before adding more requirements that may not aid contracting officers in responsibility and integrity evaluations. Response: The statute does not allow the Government to delay the implementation of this Act. Comments: The respondent feels that commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) items should be excluded from this requirement. Response: The Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy has determined that this rule applies to COTS items. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES C. Annual Reporting Burden Respondents: 413,800. Responses per Respondent: 1. Total Annual Responses: 413,800. Hours per Response: .1. Total Burden Hours: 41,380. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. VerDate Sep<11>2014 23:37 Oct 28, 2015 Jkt 238001 Obtaining Copies of Proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the information collection documents from the General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat Division (MVCB), 1800 F Street NW., Washington, DC 20405, telephone 202–501–4755. Please cite OMB Control Number 9000–0189, Identification of Predecessors, in all correspondence. Edward Loeb, Acting Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division, Office of Government-wide Acquisition Policy, Office of Acquisition Policy, Office of Government-wide Policy. [FR Doc. 2015–27554 Filed 10–28–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820–1EP–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, HHS. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: 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: ‘‘Online Application Order Form for Products from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP).’’ In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501–3521, AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on August 20, 2015 and allowed 60 days for public comment. No substantive comments were 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 November 30, 2015. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: AHRQ’s OMB Desk Officer by fax at (202) 395–6974 (attention: AHRQ’s desk officer) or by email at OIRA_submission@ omb.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 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Clearance Officer, (301) 427–1477, or by email at doris.lefkowitz@AHRQ.hhs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed Project Online Application Order Form for Products From the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) is a vital resource helping the Agency achieve its mission to produce evidence to make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable. HCUP is a family of health care databases and related software tools and products developed through a Federal-StateIndustry partnership and sponsored by AHRQ. HCUP includes the largest collection of longitudinal hospital care data in the United States, with all-payer, encounter-level information beginning in 1988. The HCUP databases are annual files that contain anonymous information from hospital discharge records for inpatient care and certain components of outpatient care, such as emergency care and ambulatory surgeries. The project currently releases seven types of databases created for research use on a broad range of health issues, including cost and quality of health services, medical practice patterns, access to health care programs, and outcomes of treatments at the National, State, and local market levels. HCUP also produces a large number of software tools to enhance the use of administrative health care data for research and public health use. Software tools use information available from a variety of sources to create new data elements, often through sophisticated algorithms, for use with the HCUP databases. HCUP’s objectives are to: • Create and enhance a powerful source of National, State, and all-payer health care data. • Produce a broad set of software tools and products to facilitate the use of HCUP and other administrative data. • Enrich a collaborative partnership with statewide data organizations (that voluntarily participate in the project) aimed at increasing the quality and use of health care data. • Conduct and translate research to inform decision making and improve health care delivery. This project is being conducted by AHRQ through its primary contractor and subcontractor, Truven Health Analytics and Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., pursuant to AHRQ’s statutory authority to conduct and support research on health care and on systems for the delivery of such care, E:\FR\FM\29OCN1.SGM 29OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 209 / Thursday, October 29, 2015 / Notices asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES including activities with respect to the quality, effectiveness, efficiency, appropriateness and value of health care services and with respect to quality measurement and improvement. (42 U.S.C. 299a(a)(1) and (2).) Method of Collection The HCUP releases seven types of databases for public research use: (1) The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) is the largest all-payer inpatient care database in the United States, yielding national estimates of hospital inpatient stays. The NIS approximates 20 percent of the discharges from all U.S. community hospitals and contains data from approximately 8 million hospital stays each year. NIS data releases are available for purchase from the HCUP Central Distributor for data years beginning in 1988. (2) The Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID) is the only all-payer inpatient care database for children in the United States. The KID was specifically designed to permit researchers to study a broad range of conditions and procedures related to child health issues. The KID contains a sample of 2 to 3 million discharges for children age 20 and younger from more than 3,500 U.S. community hospitals. KID data releases are available every third year starting in 1997. (3) The Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) is the largest all-payer Emergency Department (ED) database in the United States. It is constructed to capture information both on ED visits that do not result in an admission and on ED visits that result in an admission to the same hospital. The NEDS contains more than 25 million unweighted records for ED visits at about 1,000 U.S. community hospitals and approximates a 20-percent stratified sample of U.S. hospital-based EDs. NEDS data releases are available beginning with data year 2006. (4) The State Inpatient Databases (SID) contains the universe of inpatient discharge abstracts from data organizations in 46 States and the District of Columbia that currently participate in the SID. Together, the SID encompasses approximately 96 percent of all U.S. community hospital discharges. Most States that participate in the SID make their data available for purchase through the HCUP Central Distributor. Files are available beginning with data year 1990. (5) The State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases (SASD) contain encounter-level data from ambulatory surgery and other outpatient services from hospital-owned facilities. In addition, some States provide data for VerDate Sep<11>2014 23:37 Oct 28, 2015 Jkt 238001 ambulatory surgery and outpatient services from nonhospital-owned facilities. Currently, 34 States participate in the SASD. Files are available beginning with data year 1997. (6) The State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD) contain data from hospital-owned (ED) for visits that do not result in a hospitalization. Currently, 29 States participate in the SEDD. Currently, 32 States participate in the SEDD. Files are available beginning with data year 1999. (7) A new database called the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) is planned for release in late 2015. The NRD is designed to support various types of analyses of national readmission rates. This database addresses a large gap in health care data—the lack of nationally representative information on hospital readmissions. The NRD is a calendaryear, discharge-level database constructed from the HCUP State Inpatient Databases (SID). To support AHRQ’s mission to improve health care through health services research, HCUP databases and software tools are disseminated to users outside of the Agency through the HCUP Central Distributor at https:// www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/tech_assist/ centdist.jsp. The HCUP Central Distributor assists qualified researchers to access uniform research data across multiple states with the use of one application process. The HCUP databases disseminated through the Central distributor are referred to as ‘‘restricted access public release files’’; that is, they are publicly available, but only under restricted conditions. This information collection request is for the activities associated with the HCUP database application process not the collection of health care data for HCUP databases. The activities associated with this application include: (1) HCUP Application. All persons requesting access to the HCUP databases must complete an application at https://distributor.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/. Applications for HCUP State databases require a brief description of the planned research use to ensure that the intended use is consistent with HCUP policies and with the HCUP Data Use Agreement. Paper versions of all application packages are also available for downloading at https://www.hcupus.ahrq.gov/tech_assist/centdist.jsp. (2) HCUP Data Use Agreement Training. All persons wanting access to the HCUP databases must complete an online training course. The purpose of the training is to emphasize the importance of data protection, reduce PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 66535 the risk of inadvertent violations, and describe the individual’s responsibility when using HCUP data. The training course can be accessed and completed online at https://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/ tech_assist/dua.jsp. (3) HCUP Data Use Agreement (DUA). All persons wanting access to the HCUP databases must sign a data use agreement. As an example, the DUA for the Nationwide databases is available at https://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/team/ NationwideDUA.jsp. HCUP databases are released to researchers outside of AHRQ after the completion of required training and submission of an application that includes a signed HCUP DUA. In addition, before restricted access public release state-level databases are released, AHRQ must review and approve the applicant’s statement of intended use to ensure that the planned use is consistent with HCUP policies and with the HCUP DUA. Fees are set for databases released through the HCUP Central Distributor depending on the type of database. The fee for sale of State-level data is determined by each participating Statewide Data Organization and reimbursed to those organizations. Information collected in the HCUP Application process will be used for two purposes only: 1. Business Transaction: In order to deliver the HCUP databases and software contact information is necessary for shipping the data on disk (or any other media used in the future). 2. Enforcement of the HCUP DUA: The HCUP DUA contains several restrictions on use of the data. Most of these restrictions have been put in place to safeguard the privacy of individuals and establishments represented in the data. For example, data users can only use the data for research, analysis, and aggregate statistical reporting and are prohibited from attempting to identify any persons in the data. Contact information on HCUP DUA is retained in the event that a violation of the DUA takes place requiring legal remedy. Estimated Annual Respondent Burden Exhibit 1 shows the estimated annualized burden associated with the applicants’ time to order any of the HCUP databases. An estimated 1,300 persons will order HCUP data annually. Each of these persons will complete an application (10 minutes), the DUA training (15 minutes) and a DUA (5 minutes). The total burden is estimated to be 650 hours annually. Exhibit 2 shows the estimated annualized cost burden associated with the applicants’ time to order HCUP data. E:\FR\FM\29OCN1.SGM 29OCN1 66536 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 209 / Thursday, October 29, 2015 / Notices The total cost burden is estimated to be $24,772 annually. EXHIBIT 1—ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED BURDEN HOURS Number of respondents Form name Number of responses per respondent Hours per response Total burden hours HCUP Application Form .................................................................................. HCUP DUA Training ........................................................................................ HCUP DUA ...................................................................................................... 1,300 1,300 1,300 1 1 1 10/60 15/60 5/60 217 325 108 Total .......................................................................................................... 3,900 na na 650 EXHIBIT 2—ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST BURDEN Number of respondents Form name Total burden hours Average hourly wage rate * Total cost burden HCUP Application Form .................................................................................. HCUP DUA Training ........................................................................................ HCUP DUA ...................................................................................................... 1,300 1,300 1,300 217 325 108 $38.11 38.11 38.11 $8,270 12,386 4,116 Total .......................................................................................................... 3,900 650 na 24,772 * Based upon the mean of the average wages for Life Scientists, All Other (19–1099), National Compensation Survey: Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2014 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates United States, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#b29–0000. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Request for Comments In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 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. Sharon B. Arnold, Deputy Director. [FR Doc. 2015–27499 Filed 10–28–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160–90–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 23:37 Oct 28, 2015 Jkt 238001 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Subcommittee for Dose Reconstruction Reviews (SDRR), Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health (ABRWH or the Advisory Board), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) In accordance with section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), announces the following meeting for the aforementioned subcommittee: Time and Date: 10:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., EDT, December 1, 2015. Place: Audio Conference Call via FTS Conferencing. Status: Open to the public, but without a public comment period. The public is welcome to submit written comments in advance of the meeting, to the contact person below. Written comments received in advance of the meeting will be included in the official record of the meeting. The public is also welcome to listen to the meeting by joining the teleconference at the USA toll-free, dial-in number at 1–866–659– 0537 and the pass code is 9933701. Background: The Advisory Board was established under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to advise the PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 President on a variety of policy and technical functions required to implement and effectively manage the new compensation program. Key functions of the Advisory Board include providing advice on the development of probability of causation guidelines that have been promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a final rule; advice on methods of dose reconstruction, which have also been promulgated by HHS as a final rule; advice on the scientific validity and quality of dose estimation and reconstruction efforts being performed for purposes of the compensation program; and advice on petitions to add classes of workers to the Special Exposure Cohort (SEC). In December 2000, the President delegated responsibility for funding, staffing, and operating the Advisory Board to HHS, which subsequently delegated this authority to CDC. NIOSH implements this responsibility for CDC. The charter was issued on August 3, 2001, renewed at appropriate intervals, and will expire on August 3, 2017. Purpose: The Advisory Board is charged with (a) providing advice to the Secretary, HHS, on the development of guidelines under Executive Order 13179; (b) providing advice to the Secretary, HHS, on the scientific validity and quality of dose reconstruction efforts performed for this program; and (c) upon request by the Secretary, HHS, advise the Secretary on whether there is a class of employees at E:\FR\FM\29OCN1.SGM 29OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 209 (Thursday, October 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66534-66536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27499]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 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 (OMB) approve the proposed information collection 
project: ``Online Application Order Form for Products from the 
Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP).'' In accordance with 
the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521, AHRQ invites the 
public to comment on this proposed information collection.
    This proposed information collection was previously published in 
the Federal Register on August 20, 2015 and allowed 60 days for public 
comment. No substantive comments were 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 November 30, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: AHRQ's OMB Desk 
Officer by fax at (202) 395-6974 (attention: AHRQ's desk officer) or by 
email at OIRA_submission@omb.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 email at 
doris.lefkowitz@AHRQ.hhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Proposed Project

Online Application Order Form for Products From the Healthcare Cost and 
Utilization Project (HCUP)

    The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) is a vital 
resource helping the Agency achieve its mission to produce evidence to 
make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and 
affordable. HCUP is a family of health care databases and related 
software tools and products developed through a Federal-State-Industry 
partnership and sponsored by AHRQ. HCUP includes the largest collection 
of longitudinal hospital care data in the United States, with all-
payer, encounter-level information beginning in 1988. The HCUP 
databases are annual files that contain anonymous information from 
hospital discharge records for inpatient care and certain components of 
outpatient care, such as emergency care and ambulatory surgeries. The 
project currently releases seven types of databases created for 
research use on a broad range of health issues, including cost and 
quality of health services, medical practice patterns, access to health 
care programs, and outcomes of treatments at the National, State, and 
local market levels. HCUP also produces a large number of software 
tools to enhance the use of administrative health care data for 
research and public health use. Software tools use information 
available from a variety of sources to create new data elements, often 
through sophisticated algorithms, for use with the HCUP databases.
    HCUP's objectives are to:
     Create and enhance a powerful source of National, State, 
and all-payer health care data.
     Produce a broad set of software tools and products to 
facilitate the use of HCUP and other administrative data.
     Enrich a collaborative partnership with statewide data 
organizations (that voluntarily participate in the project) aimed at 
increasing the quality and use of health care data.
     Conduct and translate research to inform decision making 
and improve health care delivery.
    This project is being conducted by AHRQ through its primary 
contractor and subcontractor, Truven Health Analytics and Social & 
Scientific Systems, Inc., pursuant to AHRQ's statutory authority to 
conduct and support research on health care and on systems for the 
delivery of such care,

[[Page 66535]]

including activities with respect to the quality, effectiveness, 
efficiency, appropriateness and value of health care services and with 
respect to quality measurement and improvement. (42 U.S.C. 299a(a)(1) 
and (2).)

Method of Collection

    The HCUP releases seven types of databases for public research use:
    (1) The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) is the largest all-payer 
inpatient care database in the United States, yielding national 
estimates of hospital inpatient stays. The NIS approximates 20 percent 
of the discharges from all U.S. community hospitals and contains data 
from approximately 8 million hospital stays each year. NIS data 
releases are available for purchase from the HCUP Central Distributor 
for data years beginning in 1988.
    (2) The Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) is the only all-payer 
inpatient care database for children in the United States. The KID was 
specifically designed to permit researchers to study a broad range of 
conditions and procedures related to child health issues. The KID 
contains a sample of 2 to 3 million discharges for children age 20 and 
younger from more than 3,500 U.S. community hospitals. KID data 
releases are available every third year starting in 1997.
    (3) The Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) is the 
largest all-payer Emergency Department (ED) database in the United 
States. It is constructed to capture information both on ED visits that 
do not result in an admission and on ED visits that result in an 
admission to the same hospital. The NEDS contains more than 25 million 
unweighted records for ED visits at about 1,000 U.S. community 
hospitals and approximates a 20-percent stratified sample of U.S. 
hospital-based EDs. NEDS data releases are available beginning with 
data year 2006.
    (4) The State Inpatient Databases (SID) contains the universe of 
inpatient discharge abstracts from data organizations in 46 States and 
the District of Columbia that currently participate in the SID. 
Together, the SID encompasses approximately 96 percent of all U.S. 
community hospital discharges. Most States that participate in the SID 
make their data available for purchase through the HCUP Central 
Distributor. Files are available beginning with data year 1990.
    (5) The State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases (SASD) 
contain encounter-level data from ambulatory surgery and other 
outpatient services from hospital-owned facilities. In addition, some 
States provide data for ambulatory surgery and outpatient services from 
nonhospital-owned facilities. Currently, 34 States participate in the 
SASD. Files are available beginning with data year 1997.
    (6) The State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD) contain data 
from hospital-owned (ED) for visits that do not result in a 
hospitalization. Currently, 29 States participate in the SEDD. 
Currently, 32 States participate in the SEDD. Files are available 
beginning with data year 1999.
    (7) A new database called the Nationwide Readmissions Database 
(NRD) is planned for release in late 2015. The NRD is designed to 
support various types of analyses of national readmission rates. This 
database addresses a large gap in health care data--the lack of 
nationally representative information on hospital readmissions. The NRD 
is a calendar-year, discharge-level database constructed from the HCUP 
State Inpatient Databases (SID).
    To support AHRQ's mission to improve health care through health 
services research, HCUP databases and software tools are disseminated 
to users outside of the Agency through the HCUP Central Distributor at 
https://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/tech_assist/centdist.jsp. The HCUP Central 
Distributor assists qualified researchers to access uniform research 
data across multiple states with the use of one application process. 
The HCUP databases disseminated through the Central distributor are 
referred to as ``restricted access public release files''; that is, 
they are publicly available, but only under restricted conditions.
    This information collection request is for the activities 
associated with the HCUP database application process not the 
collection of health care data for HCUP databases.
    The activities associated with this application include:
    (1) HCUP Application. All persons requesting access to the HCUP 
databases must complete an application at https://distributor.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/. Applications for HCUP State databases require a brief 
description of the planned research use to ensure that the intended use 
is consistent with HCUP policies and with the HCUP Data Use Agreement. 
Paper versions of all application packages are also available for 
downloading at https://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/tech_assist/centdist.jsp.
    (2) HCUP Data Use Agreement Training. All persons wanting access to 
the HCUP databases must complete an online training course. The purpose 
of the training is to emphasize the importance of data protection, 
reduce the risk of inadvertent violations, and describe the 
individual's responsibility when using HCUP data. The training course 
can be accessed and completed online at https://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/tech_assist/dua.jsp.
    (3) HCUP Data Use Agreement (DUA). All persons wanting access to 
the HCUP databases must sign a data use agreement. As an example, the 
DUA for the Nationwide databases is available at https://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/team/NationwideDUA.jsp.
    HCUP databases are released to researchers outside of AHRQ after 
the completion of required training and submission of an application 
that includes a signed HCUP DUA. In addition, before restricted access 
public release state-level databases are released, AHRQ must review and 
approve the applicant's statement of intended use to ensure that the 
planned use is consistent with HCUP policies and with the HCUP DUA. 
Fees are set for databases released through the HCUP Central 
Distributor depending on the type of database. The fee for sale of 
State-level data is determined by each participating Statewide Data 
Organization and reimbursed to those organizations. Information 
collected in the HCUP Application process will be used for two purposes 
only:
    1. Business Transaction: In order to deliver the HCUP databases and 
software contact information is necessary for shipping the data on disk 
(or any other media used in the future).
    2. Enforcement of the HCUP DUA: The HCUP DUA contains several 
restrictions on use of the data. Most of these restrictions have been 
put in place to safeguard the privacy of individuals and establishments 
represented in the data. For example, data users can only use the data 
for research, analysis, and aggregate statistical reporting and are 
prohibited from attempting to identify any persons in the data. Contact 
information on HCUP DUA is retained in the event that a violation of 
the DUA takes place requiring legal remedy.

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden

    Exhibit 1 shows the estimated annualized burden associated with the 
applicants' time to order any of the HCUP databases. An estimated 1,300 
persons will order HCUP data annually. Each of these persons will 
complete an application (10 minutes), the DUA training (15 minutes) and 
a DUA (5 minutes). The total burden is estimated to be 650 hours 
annually.
    Exhibit 2 shows the estimated annualized cost burden associated 
with the applicants' time to order HCUP data.

[[Page 66536]]

The total cost burden is estimated to be $24,772 annually.

                                  Exhibit 1--Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Number of
                    Form name                        Number of     responses per     Hours per     Total burden
                                                    respondents     respondent       response          hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HCUP Application Form...........................           1,300               1           10/60             217
HCUP DUA Training...............................           1,300               1           15/60             325
HCUP DUA........................................           1,300               1            5/60             108
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................           3,900              na              na             650
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                   Exhibit 2--Estimated Annualized Cost Burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      Average
                    Form name                        Number of     Total burden     hourly wage     Total cost
                                                    respondents        hours          rate *          burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HCUP Application Form...........................           1,300             217          $38.11          $8,270
HCUP DUA Training...............................           1,300             325           38.11          12,386
HCUP DUA........................................           1,300             108           38.11           4,116
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................           3,900             650              na          24,772
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Based upon the mean of the average wages for Life Scientists, All Other (19-1099), National Compensation
  Survey: Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2014 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
  United States, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#b29-0000.

Request for Comments

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 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.

Sharon B. Arnold,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 2015-27499 Filed 10-28-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4160-90-P
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