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

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: ``Eisenberg Center Voluntary Customer Survey Generic Clearance for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.'' In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520, AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection.

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: ``Standardizing Antibiotic Use in Long-Term Care Settings SAUL) Study.'' In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520, AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection.

This notice announces a meeting to discuss the technical specifications for AHRQ's common definitions and reporting formats (Common Formats) Version 1.1 that allow for reporting of patient safety information to Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs). The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005, 42 U.S.C. 299b-21 to b-26, (Patient Safety Act) provides for the formation of PSOs, which collect, aggregate, and analyze confidential information regarding the quality and safety of healthcare delivery. The Patient Safety Act (at 42 U.S.C. 299b-23) authorizes the collection of this information in a standardized manner, as explained in the related Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Final Rule, 42 CFR part 3 (Patient Safety Rule), published in the Federal Register on November 21, 2008: 73 FR 70731- 70814. As authorized by the Secretary of HHS, AHRQ coordinates the development of the Common Formats that allow healthcare providers to voluntarily collect and submit standardized information regarding patient safety events. More information on the Common Formats Version 1.1, including the technical specifications, can be obtained through AHRQ's PSO Web site: https://www.PSO.AHRQ.gov/.

The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005, 42 U.S.C. 299b-21 to b-26, (Patient Safety Act) provides for the formation of Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs), which collect, aggregate, and analyze confidential information regarding the quality and safety of healthcare delivery. The Patient Safety Act (at 42 U.S.C. 299b-23) authorizes the collection of this information in a standardized manner, as explained in the related Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Final Rule, 42 CFR part 3 (Patient Safety Rule), published in the Federal Register on November 21, 2008: 73 FR 70731-70814. As authorized by the Secretary of HHS, AHRQ coordinates the development of a set of common definitions and reporting formats (Common Formats) that allow healthcare providers to voluntarily collect and submit standardized information regarding patient safety events. The purpose of this notice is to announce the availability of the expanded and enhanced Common Formats Version 1.1including updated event descriptions, reports, data elements, and technical specifications for software developers and the process for their continued refinement.

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: ``Reductions of Infection Caused by Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (KPC) Producing Organisms through the Application of Recently Developed CDC/HICPAC Recommendations.'' In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520, AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection.

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: ``Development and Evaluation of AIIRQ's Quality Indicators Improvement Toolkit.'' In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520, AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection.

This notice announces a meeting to identify measurement criteria for use in carrying out the Pediatric Quality Measures Program (PQMP) under Section 1139A(b) of the Social Security Act as enacted in the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA).

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: ``Evaluation of the GuideLines Into Decision Support (GLIDES).'' 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 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: ``Collection of Information for Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ) Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Health Plan Survey Comparative Database.'' In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520, AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection.

The Department of Health and Human Services announces its intention to support new CER projects with funds allocated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The ARRA appropriated $400 million to the Office of the Secretary for support of CER. AHRQ has been designated point of contact for management of these funds.

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: ``Spreading Techniques to Radically Reduce Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA).'' In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 350 1-3520, AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection.

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 (0MB) approve the proposed information collection project: ``Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Household Component and the MEPS Medical Provider Component through 2012.'' 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.

AHRQ is announcing the availability of a document entitled: ``Patient Safety Organizations: A Compliance Self-Assessment Guide.'' The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005, Public Law 109- 41, 42 U.S.C. 299-b21b-26 (Patient Safety Act) provides for the formation of Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs), which collect, aggregate, and analyze confidential information regarding the quality and safety of healthcare delivery. The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Final Rule (Patient Safety Rule) (42 CFR part 3) authorizes AHRQ, on behalf of the Secretary of HHS, to: list as a PSO an entity that attests that it meets the statutory and regulatory requirements for listing; and request additional information and conduct reviews (including announced or unannounced site visits) to assess PSO compliance. To assist PSOs in making the required attestations and preparing for a compliance review, AHRQ developed the sample questions in this guide to encourage each PSO to take a thorough and systematic approach to compliance. The guide recognizes that each PSO's approach to compliance may be different based upon the specific mission it has chosen, the specific activities and expertise it offers to healthcare providers, and its size and mode of operation. Thus, these questions are merely illustrative; some questions will not be applicable or even appropriate for every PSO. The guide does not establish new standards or requirements beyond those that are established by the Patient Safety Rule.

The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005, 42 U.S.C. 299b-21 to b-26 (Patient Safety Act), provides for the formation of Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs), which collect, aggregate, and analyze confidential information regarding the quality and safety of healthcare delivery. The Patient Safety Act (at 42 U.S.C. 299b-23) authorizes the collection of this information in a standardized manner, as explained in the related Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Final Rule, 42 CFR part 3 (Patient Safety Rule), published in the Federal Register on November 21, 2008: 73 FR 70731-70814. As authorized by the Secretary of HHS, AHRQ coordinates the development of a set of common definitions and reporting formats (Common Formats) that allow healthcare providers to voluntarily collect and submit standardized information regarding patient safety events. The initial release of the formats, Version 0.1 Beta, was announced in the Federal Register on August 29, 2008: 73 FR 50974-50976. The purpose of this notice is to announce the availability of the expanded and enhanced Common Formats Version 1.0 and the process for their continued development and refinement.

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: ``Health IT Community Tracking Study 2009.'' 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.

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 Subcommittee on Quality Measures for Children's Healthcare in Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs (CHIP).