Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality January 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) invites individuals and organizations to nominate primary and secondary prevention topics pertaining to clinical preventive services that they would like the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) to consider for review. A list of topics that have been recently reviewed or are currently under review by the USPSTF is listed below in the supplementary information section. The USPSTF is an independent panel of experts that makes evidence- based recommendations regarding the provision of clinical preventive services. Clinical preventive services include screening, counseling and preventive medications. The USPSTF makes recommendations about preventive services for asymptomatic peoplepeople without recognized signs or symptoms of the specific conditions targeted by the preventive service. Topics can be nominated by individuals, organizations, evidence- based practice centers (EPC) and USPSTF members. The USPSTF will consider nominations and prioritize topics for review based on the following set of criteria: Public health importance (burden of suffering, potential of preventive service to reduce the burden); new evidence that has the potential to change prior recommendations including inactive ones; and, potential for greatest Task Force impact (e.g., clinical controversy, practice does not reflect evidence, inappropriate timing in delivery of services). The USPSTF will prioritize topics for which there is a performance gap and the potential to significantly improve clinical practice. Individuals and organizations may nominate new topics or topics previously reviewed by the USPSTF. Basic Topic Nomination Requirements: Nominations must be no more than 500 words in length and must include the following information. Nominations may include an appendix that contains references and supporting documents (not included in word count). 1. Name of topic. 2. Rationale for consideration by the USPSTF, to include: a. Primary or secondary prevention topic (screening, counseling or preventive medication). b. Primary care relevance (aplicable clinical preventive service must be initiated in the primary care setting which can be defined as family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics or obstetrics/gynecology and provided by a primary care provider). c. Description of public health importance (burden of disease/ suffering, potential of preventive service to reduce burden, including effective interventions). Citations and supporting documents are recommended. d. Summary of new evidence, if any, that has potential to affect the Task Force's recommendation on a previously reviewed topic. Please refer to https://preventiveservices.ahrg.gov for USPSTF recommendations. Citations and supporting documents are recommended. e. Description of potential impact of USPSTF's review of the topic, i.e., change in clinical practice, research focus, etc.

This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) allow the proposed information collection project: ``Security Checkpoints and Patients with Radiopharmaceuticals.'' 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. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on November 2, 2005 and allowed 60 Days for public comment. No public comments were received. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 Days for public comment.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services invites suggestions from interested organizations and knowledgeable individuals regarding the highest priorities for research, demonstration, and evaluation projects to support and improve the Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children Health Insurance (SCHIP) programs. The research and other activities undertaken and authorized by the above-captioned or above referenced statutory provision may address: 1. The outcomes, comparative clinical effectiveness, and appropriateness of health care items and services (including prescription drugs); and 2. Strategies for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of such programs, including the ways in which such items and services are organized, managed, and delivered under such programs. The statute: a. Requires the establishment of a priority setting process for identifying the most important topics to address, b. Establishes a timetable for development of an initial priority list and completion of the research; and c. Requires ongoing consultation with relevant stakeholders. To review the text of section 1013 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, please visit Section 1013. Research on Outcomes of Health Care Items and Services (PDF 21.7 KB) or https://www.medicare.gov/medicarereform/108s1013.htm (text). Current priority conditions being studied focus on topics particularly relevant to Medicare beneficiaries. The next set of priority conditions will be expanded to include conditions relevant to the Medicaid and SCHIP programs. The current priority conditions are: Arthritis and non-traumatic joint disorders. Cancer. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Dementia including Alzheimer's disease. Depression and other mood disorders. Diabetes mellitus. Ischemic heart disease. Peptic ulcer disease and dyspepsia. Pneumonia. Stroke and hypertension.