[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 9, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26968-26969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-7002]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60 Day-06-0600]


Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. 
To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a 
copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call 404-639-5960 
and send comments to Seleda Perryman, CDC Assistant Reports Clearance 
Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail 
to [email protected].
    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. Written comments should be received 
within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    Performance Evaluation Program for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and 
Non-

[[Page 26969]]

Tuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM) Drug Susceptibility Testing (0920-
0600)--Extension--National Center for Health Marketing (NCHM), 
Coordinating Center for Health Information and Service (CoCHIS), 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    As part of the continuing effort to support both domestic and 
global public health objectives for treatment of tuberculosis (TB), 
prevention of multi-drug resistance and surveillance programs, the 
Division of Laboratory Systems seeks to continue to collect information 
from domestic private clinical and public health laboratories twice per 
year. Participation and information collections from international 
laboratories are limited to those which have public health 
responsibilities for tuberculosis drug susceptibility testing and 
approval by their national tuberculosis program. While the overall 
number of cases of TB in the U.S. has decreased, rates still remain 
high among foreign-born persons, prisoners, homeless populations, and 
individuals infected with HIV in major metropolitan areas. The rate of 
TB cases detected in foreign-born persons has been reported to be 
almost nine times higher than the rate among the U.S. born population.
    CDC's goal to eliminate TB will be virtually impossible without 
considerable effort in assisting countries with heavy disease burden in 
the reduction of tuberculosis. The M.tuberculosis/NTM program supports 
this role by monitoring the level of performance and practices among 
laboratories performing M. tuberculosis susceptibility within the U.S, 
as well as internationally, to ensure high-quality laboratory testing, 
resulting in accurate and reliable results.
    Information collected in this program includes the susceptibility 
test results of primary and secondary drugs, concentrations, and test 
methods performed by laboratories on a set of challenge isolates sent 
twice yearly. A portion of the response instrument collects demographic 
data such as laboratory type and the number of tests performed 
annually. By providing an evaluation program to assess the ability of 
the laboratories to test for drug resistant M. tuberculosis and 
selected strains of NTM, laboratories have a self-assessment tool to 
aid in maximizing their skills in susceptibility testing. Information 
obtained from laboratories on susceptibility testing practices and 
procedures assists with determining variables related to good 
performance, with assessing areas for training and with developing 
practice standards.
    There are no cost to the respondents other than their time.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                  Average number  Average burden
                   Respondents                        No. of       of responses    per response    Total burden
                                                    respondents   per respondent    (in hours)         hours
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Domestic Private/Public Laboratories............             165               1           30/60              83
International Laboratories (with public health               165               1           30/60              83
 responsibilities)..............................
    Total.......................................  ..............  ..............  ..............             166
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    Dated: May 1, 2006.
Joan F. Karr,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
 [FR Doc. E6-7002 Filed 5-8-06; 8:45 am]
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