[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 39 (Monday, February 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10497-10498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-4647]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality


Public Meeting on the Effect of Credentialing of Technologists 
and Sonographers on the Quality of Ultrasound Tests

AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), formerly 
known as the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR).

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: As a first step in arranging for the conduct of a 
Congressionally mandated study, this Notice announces a public meeting 
for the purpose of receiving oral and written information on the 
subject of the effect of the credentialing of technologists and 
sonographers on the quality of ultrasound tests measured in terms of 
error rates, related complications, and patient outcomes, particularly 
with respect to the Medicare and Medicaid populations.

DATES: The meeting will be on March 29, 2000 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 
p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be at the Agency for Healthcare Research 
and Quality conference center, 6010 Executive Blvd., 4th Floor, 
Rockville, MD 20852.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jacqueline Besteman, J.D., M.A., 
Center for Practice and Technology Assessment, AHRQ, 6010 Executive 
Blvd., Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852; Phone: (301) 594-4017; Fax: 
(301) 594-4027; E-mail: [email protected].

Arrangements for the Public Meeting

    Representatives of organizations and other individuals are invited 
to provide relevant written comments and information to AHRQ, and to 
make a brief (10 minutes or less) oral statement at the meeting. 
Individuals and representatives who would like to attend must register 
with Jacqueline Besteman, AHRQ, at the address above 2 weeks prior to 
the date of meeting. One copy of the written materials should also be 
submitted to Ms. Besteman. On the day of the meeting, presenters are 
requested to bring 25 copies of their written materials for 
distribution.
    If sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodations 
for a disability is needed, please contact Linda Reeves, Assistant 
Administrator for Equal Opportunity, AHRQ, on (301) 594-6662 no later 
than (insert at least 3 days before the meeting).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background

    On December 6, 1999, the former Agency for Health Care Policy and 
Research, was reauthorized and renamed the Agency for Healthcare 
Research and Quality (AHRQ) by P.L. 106-129, the Healthcare Research 
and Quality Act of 1999. The legislation directed AHRQ to improve the 
quality of health care, promote patient safety and reduce medical 
errors through research, including research on the use of health care 
services and outcomes research.
    Shortly before the Agency became AHRQ, section 229 of the Medicare, 
Medicaid and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 (incorporated 
by reference in, and enacted by section 1000(a) of Public Law 106-113) 
directed that the Agency (then AHCPR) provide for a study of 
differences in quality between ultrasound services furnished by 
individuals who are credentialed and ultrasound services furnished by 
those who are not so credentialed. This study is to examine and 
evaluate differences in error rates, resulting complications, and 
patient outcomes and determine any quality differences that can be 
correlated with the differences in credentialing. In particular, the 
Congress indicated that findings should be made with respect to the 
provision of ultrasound under the Medicare and Medicaid programs under 
titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act. In

[[Page 10498]]

designing the study, the Administrator is to consult with organizations 
nationally recognized for their expertise in ultrasound. A report on 
the study is to be sent to Congress within two years of the enactment 
of this statutory research mandate (approximately November 2001).

2. Purpose

    AHRQ is holding this meeting to gather pertinent scientific 
information and professional views that would contribute to the conduct 
of this study of the effect of credentialing of technologists and 
sonographers on the quality of ultrasound services, and especially 
information with respect to such services provided under the Medicare 
and Medicaid programs, Titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act. 
AHRQ is interested in receiving information on the availability of 
relevant published literature, secondary data sources, and/or 
unpublished data, as well as information about other factors that may 
affect ultrasound results (for example, other quality assurance and 
control processes.)

3. Agenda

    The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. and continue through 12:00 p.m. 
The Director of AHRQ's Center for Practice and Technology Assessment 
will chair the meeting. If more requests to make oral statements are 
received than can be accommodated at this meeting between 9:00 a.m. and 
12:00 p.m., the chair will allocate speaking time in a manner that 
attempts, to the extent possible, to have a range of information, 
findings and views presented orally. Those who cannot be granted 
speaking time because of time constraints are assured that their 
written comments will be considered along with other evidence during 
the course of the study.

    Dated: February 15, 2000.
John M. Eisenberg,
Director, AHRQ.
[FR Doc. 00-4647 Filed 2-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-90-M