[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 77 (Friday, April 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20311-20312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9811]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 01058]


Notice of Availability of Funds; Information System To Reduce 
Medical Errors

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2001 funds for a grant program with 
Fletcher Allen Health Care of Burlington, Vermont, to design and 
implement a state-of-the-art information system to reduce medical 
errors. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus area 
of Immunization and Infectious Diseases. For additional information on 
``Healthy People 2010'' visit the internet site: http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
    The purpose of the program is to develop and demonstrate clinical 
information systems to prevent medical errors and improve the quality 
of healthcare. Integration of information systems will directly attack 
the issue of medical errors, which can proliferate as patients and data 
are handed off from one delivery system to another.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to Fletcher Allen Health Care of 
Burlington, Vermont. No other applications are solicited. Eligibility 
is limited to Fletcher Allen Health Care because fiscal year 2001 
Federal appropriations specifically directs CDC to award this applicant 
funds to design and implement a state-of-the-art information system to 
reduce medical errors.
    The House of Representatives Conference Report, accompanying the 
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and 
Related Agencies Appropriation Bill, 2000 (H.R. 4577, 106th Cong. 
(2000)), recognized the Fletcher Allen Health Care's unique 
qualifications for carrying out the activities specified in this grant 
(H.R. Rep. 106-1033 2000).

    Note: Title 2 of the United States Code, chapter 26, section 
1611 states that an organization, described in section 501(c)(4) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that engages in lobbying 
activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds constituting an 
award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan or any other 
form.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $253,000 is available in FY 2001 to fund the award. 
It is expected that the award will begin on or about August 1, 2001, 
and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period 
of one year. The funding estimate may change.

D. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the following activities.
    1. Develop an information system that includes patient, clinical, 
encounter, laboratory, and pharmacy data.
    2. Configure the information system so that it serves the needs of 
physicians and other healthcare providers.
    3. Expand the information system to support best practice 
algorithms, clinical trials, outcome studies, and continuous quality 
improvement protocols.
    4. Publish results of project.

E. Application Content

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application content. The application will be evaluated on the criteria 
listed, so it is important to follow them specifically in laying out 
the program plan. The narrative should be no more than 25 double-spaced 
pages, printed on one side, with one-inch margins, and unreduced font.

F. Submission and Deadline

Application

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-
0189). Forms are available at the following Internet address: 
www.cdc.gov/. . . Forms, or in the application kit.
    On or before June 1, 2001, submit the application to the Grants 
Management Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional 
Information'' section of this announcement.

G. Evaluation Criteria

    The application will be evaluated against the following criteria by 
an independent review group appointed by CDC:

1. Background/Need (20 points)

    The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a strong 
understanding of information systems. The extent to which the applicant 
illustrates the need for this grant program. The extent to which the 
applicant presents a clear goal for this grant that is consistent with 
the described need.

2. Capacity (30 points)

    The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that it has the 
expertise, facilities, and other resources necessary to accomplish the 
program requirements, including curricula vitae of key personnel and 
letters of support from any participating organizations/institutions.

3. Operational Plan (40 points)

    The extent to which the applicant presents clear, time-phased 
objectives that are consistent with the stated program goal and a 
detailed operational plan outlining specific activities that are likely 
to achieve the objectives. The extent to which the plan clearly 
outlines the responsibilities of each of the key personnel.

4. Evaluation Plan (10 points)

    The extent to which the applicant presents a plan for monitoring 
progress toward the stated goals and objectives.

5. Budget (not scored)

    The extent to which the applicant presents a detailed budget with a 
line-item justification and any other information to demonstrate that 
the request for assistance is consistent with the purpose and 
objectives of this grant program.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with the original plus two copies of
    1. progress report (semi-annual);
    2. financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period; and
    3. final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days 
after the end of the project period.
    Send all reports to the Grants Management Specialist identified in 
the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this 
announcement.
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I in the 
application kit.

AR-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11  Healthy People 2010
AR-12  Lobbying Restrictions
AR-15  Proof of Non-Profit Status


[[Page 20312]]



I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under Sections 301(a) and 317(k)(2) of 
the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. Sections 241(a) and 
247b(k)(2)], as amended. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
number is 93.283.

J. Where to Obtain Additional Information

    This and other CDC announcements can be found on the CDC home page 
Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov. Click on ``Funding'' then 
``Grants and Cooperative Agreements.''
    To obtain additional information, contact: Merlin Williams, Grants 
Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants 
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2920 
Brandywine Road, Room 3000, M/S K75, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: 
(770) 488-2765), Email address: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Steve Solomon, M.D., 
National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Road, NE., M/S A-07, Atlanta, GA 
30333, Telephone: (404) 639-6476, Facsimile: (404) 639-6483, Email 
address: [email protected].

    Dated: April 16, 2001.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 01-9811 Filed 4-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P