Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with section 10 (a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2), announcement is made of an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Special Emphasis Panel (SEP) meeting on ``AHRQ NATIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE AWARDS (NRSA) INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH TRAINING GRANTS (T32)''.

In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, this notice announces a meeting of the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality.

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 June 27th, 2012 and allowed 60 days for public comment. Several comments were received. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment.

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: ``Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Household Component and the MEPS Medical Provider Component.'' 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 June 13th, 2012 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.

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: ``A Prototype Consumer Reporting System for Patient Safety Events.'' In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521, AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) requests information from the Public, including diversified stakeholders (health information technology (IT) system developers, including vendors; payers, quality measure developers, end-users, clinicians, health care consumers) regarding current successful strategies and challenges regarding quality measurement enabled by health IT. Quality measurementthe assessment of the timeliness, completeness and appropriateness of preventive services, diagnostic services, and treatment provided in health carehas been most generally conducted via paper chart information capture, manual chart abstraction, and the analysis of administrative claims data. Through this notice, the comment period has been extended. The subject matter content remains unchanged from the original notice which was previously published on July 20, 2012 (www.GPO.gov/fdsys/PKG/FR-2012-07-20/html/2012-17530.htm)

AHRQ has delisted The Steward Group PSO as a Patient Safety Organization (PSO) due to its failure to correct a deficiency. The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (Patient Safety Act) authorizes the listing of PSOs, which are entities or component organizations whose mission and primary activity is to conduct activities to improve patient safety and the quality of health care delivery. HHS issued the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Final Rule (Patient Safety Rule) to implement the Patient Safety Act. AHRQ administers the provisions of the Patient Safety Act and Patient Safety Rule relating to the listing and operation of PSOs.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) requests information from the Public, including diversified stakeholders (health information technology (IT) system developers, including vendors; payers, quality measure developers, end-users, clinicians, health care consumers) regarding current successful strategies and challenges regarding quality measurement enabled by health IT. Quality measurementthe assessment of the timeliness, completeness and appropriateness of preventive services, diagnostic services, and treatment provided in health carehas been most generally conducted via paper chart information capture, manual chart abstraction, and the analysis of administrative claims data.

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: ``American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ``Developing a Registry of Registries''.'' 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 February 23rd, 2012 and allowed 60 days for public comment. Several comments were received. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment.

In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, this notice announces a meeting of the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality.

AHRQ has delisted Medical Informatics as a Patient Safety Organization (PSO) due to its failure to correct a deficiency. The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (Patient Safety Act) authorizes the listing of PSOs, which are entities or component organizations whose mission and primary activity is to conduct activities to improve patient safety and the quality of health care delivery. HHS issued the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Final Rule (Patient Safety Rule) to implement the Patient Safety Act. AHRQ administers the provisions of the Patient Safety Act and Patient Safety Rule relating to the listing and operation of PSOs.

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: ``Synthesis of AHRQ-Funded HAI Projects.'' 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 April 6th, 2012 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.

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: ``Adapting Best Practices for Medicaid Readmissions.'' 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 March 28th, 2012 and allowed 60 days for public comment. No comments were received. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking nominations for members of approximately 10 multidisciplinary workgroups, to be convened by AHRQ's contractor, on ICD-10-CM/PCS conversion of the AHRQ Quality Indicators (QIs).

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: ``Workflow Assessment for Health IT Toolkit Evaluation.'' 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 March 9th, 2012 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.

42 U.S.C. 299c establishes a National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality (the Council). The Council is to advise the Secretary of HHS (Secretary) and the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) on matters related to activities of the Agency to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans. Seven current members' terms will expire in November 2012. To fill these positions, we are seeking individuals who are distinguished: (1) In the conduct of research, demonstration projects, and evaluations with respect to health care; (2) in the fields of health care quality research or health care improvement; (3) in the practice of medicine; (4) in other health professions; (5) in representing the private health care sector (including health plans, providers, and purchasers) or administrators of health care delivery systems; (6) in the fields of health care economics, information systems, law, ethics, business, or public policy; and, (7) in representing the interests of patients and consumers of health care. 42 U.S.C. 299c(c)(2). Individuals are particularly sought with experience and success in activities specified in the summary above.

AHRQ has accepted a notification of voluntary relinquishment from the Surgical Safety Institute of its status as a Patient Safety Organization (PSO). The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (Patient Safety Act) authorizes the listing of PSOs, which are entities or component organizations whose mission and primary activity is to conduct activities to improve patient safety and the quality of health care delivery. HHS issued the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Final Rule (Patient Safety Rule) to implement the Patient Safety Act. AHRQ administers the provisions of the Patient Safety Act and Patient Safety Rule relating to the listing and operation of PS0s.

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: ``American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ``Developing a Registry of Registries''.'' 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 February 23, 2012 and allowed 60 days for public comment. No comments were received. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking scientific information submissions from manufacturers of chronic venous ulcer treatment medical devices. Scientific information is being solicited to inform our Chronic Venous Ulcers: A Comparative Effectiveness Review of Treatment Modalities report, which is currently being conducted by the Evidence-based Practice Centers for the AHRQ Effective Health Care Program. Access to published and unpublished pertinent scientific information on this device will improve the quality of this comparative effectiveness review. AHRQ is requesting this scientific information and conducting this comparative effectiveness review pursuant to Section 1013 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, Public Law 108-173.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking scientific information submissions from manufacturers of Conventional Two-Dimensional External Beam Radiotherapy (2D-EBRT), 3- dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), Proton beam radiotherapy (PBR), Brachytherapy, Radiofrequency ablation, Endobronchial debridement and stents, and Nd-YAG Laser Therapy medical devices. Scientific information is being solicited to inform our Comparative Effectiveness Review of Local Therapies for the Treatment of Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Endobronchial Obstruction Due to Advanced Lung Tumors, which is currently being conducted by the Evidence-based Practice Centers for the AHRQ Effective Health Care Program. Access to published and unpublished pertinent scientific information on this device will improve the quality of this comparative effectiveness review. AHRQ is requesting this scientific information and conducting this comparative effectiveness review pursuant to Section 1013 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, Public Law 108-173.

As authorized by the Secretary of HHS, AHRQ coordinates the development of a set of common definitions and reporting formats (Common Formats) for reporting patient safety events to Patient Safety Organizations (PS0s). The purpose of this notice is to announce the availability of new Common FormatsHospital Version 1.2 for public review and comment.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) invites nominations of individuals qualified to serve as members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Qualification Requirements: Qualified applicants and nominees must at a minimum demonstrate knowledge, expertise and national leadership in the following areas: 1. The critical evaluation of research published in peer reviewed literature and in the methods of evidence review; 2. Clinical prevention, health promotion and primary health care; and 3. Implementation of evidence-based recommendations in clinical practice including at the clinician-patient level, practice level, and health system level. Some USPSTF members without primary health care clinical experience may be selected based on their expertise in methodological issues such as meta-analysis, analytic modeling or clinical epidemiology. For individuals with clinical expertise in primary health care, additional qualifications in methodology would enhance their candidacy. Additionally, the Task Force benefits from members with expertise in the following areas: Behavioral medicine Public health Health equity and the reduction of health disparities Application of science to health policy Communication of scientific findings to multiple audiences including health care professionals, policy makers and the general public. Candidates with experience and skills in any of these areas should highlight them in their nomination materials. Applicants must have no substantial conflicts of interest, whether financial, professional, or intellectual, that would impair the scientific integrity of the work of the USPSTF and must be willing to complete regular conflict of interest disclosures. Applicants must have the ability to work collaboratively with a team of diverse professionals who support the mission of the USPSTF. Applicants must have adequate time to contribute substantively to the work products of the USPSTF.