[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 190 (Friday, October 1, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 53396-53397] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-25555] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Resources And Services Administration Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Comment Request In compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects (section 3506(c)(2)(A) of Title 44, United States Code, as amended by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) publishes periodic summaries of proposed projects being developed [[Page 53397]] for submission to OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and draft instruments, call the HRSA Reports Clearance Officer on (301) 443-1891. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection 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 on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Proposed Project: Uniform Reporting System Client Demonstration Project (URS): NEW The Uniform Reporting System Client Demonstration Project (URS) was established in 1994 to collect information from several Title I and Title II grantees and their subcontracted service providers about their individual clients. Demographic information, service utilization, and health indicators of all clients receiving services at providers funded by the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act are collected twice each year. A unique identifier is used to protect the anonymity of the clients, and as a further safeguard, this unique identifier is encrypted before it is sent to HRSA. HRSA initiated the URS to demonstrate (1) the feasibility of collecting client level demographic and service data on HIV/AIDS infected/affected clients across a network of service providers and (2) the usefulness of these data for planning and evaluation purposes at both the local and national levels. Through this system, HRSA sought to overcome the limitations of the Annual Administrative Report (AAR), the national reporting system for the Ryan White CARE Act. The AAR collects data aggregated at the grantee level and has duplicated counts of clients. The number of clients reported in the AAR overestimates by approximately the true number of clients. In addition, AAR data are not tied to any clinical or service outcome information at the client level. The feasibility of collecting client data has been demonstrated. The usefulness of these data for planning and evaluation purposes at both the local and national level has become increasingly evident. A number of client level analyses that were not possible with the AAR have been undertaken. In addition to meeting the goal of accountability to Congress, clients, advocacy groups, and the general public, the URS supports critical efforts by HRSA, state and local grantees, and providers to assess the health outcomes and the service utilization patterns of the individuals at these sites who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS and receive care at a provider funded by the Ryan White CARE Act. Outcome specific and treatment measures are collected in the data system; these will be asked only of medical providers. These data elements seek to document whether current standards of care as established by the Public Health Service are being adhered to at these Ryan White CARE Act facilities. The core set of data elements are largely unchanged from the AAR. Minor changes in the demographic data elements have been made as a result of meetings and input from the current URS grantees and their providers. The estimated response burden is as follows: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Responses Total Medical records source Number of per Burden hour burden respondents respondent hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Medical Providers........................................... 27,000 1 4 108,000 Case Managers, Mental Health, Substance Abuse Providers..... 32,000 1 1 32,000 Other Providers............................................. 35,000 1 .5 17,500 --------------------------------------------------- Total................................................. 94,000 ........... ........... 157,500 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Send comments to Susan G. Queen, Ph.D., HRSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 14-33, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice. Dated: September 24, 1999. Jane Harrison, Director, Division of Policy Review and Coordination. [FR Doc. 99-25555 Filed 9-30-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160-15-P