[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 222 (Monday, November 19, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65031-65032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-5734]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Department of 
Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 65032]]

SUMMARY: This notice announces the intention of the Agency for 
Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request that the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) allow the renewal of the generic 
information collection project: ``Voluntary Customer Surveys Generic 
Clearance for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.'' 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.
    This proposed information collection was previously published in 
the Federal Register on August 3, 2007 and allowed 60 days for public 
comment. No comments were received. A 30-day Federal Register notice 
was published on October 11th, 2007 to allow an additional 30 days for 
public comment. No comments were received. However, changes to the 
estimated annual respondent burden hours and the methodologies that 
will be used for the data collection require an additional 30 days for 
public comment.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 19, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: AHRQ's OMB Desk 
Officer by fax at (202) 395-6974 (attention: AHRQ's desk officer) or by 
e-mail at [email protected] (attention: AHRQ's desk 
officer). Copies of the proposed collection plans, data collection 
instruments, and specific details on the estimated burden can be 
obtained from AHRQ's Reports Clearance Officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ, Reports 
Clearance Officer, (301) 427-1477.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Proposed Project

    ``Voluntary Customer Surveys Generic Clearance for the Agency for 
Healthcare Research and Quality.''
    In response to Executive Order 12862, the Agency for Healthcare 
Research and Quality (AHRQ) plans to conduct voluntary customer surveys 
to assess strengths and weaknesses in agency program services. Customer 
surveys to be conducted by AHRQ may include readership surveys from 
individuals using AHRQ automated and electronic technology databases to 
determine satisfaction with the information provided or surveys to 
assess effect of the grants streamlining efforts. Results of these 
surveys will be used in future program planning initiatives and to 
redirect resources and efforts, as needed, to improve AHRQ program 
services. The current clearance will expire January 31, 2008. This is a 
request for a generic approval from OMB to conduct customer surveys 
over the next three years.

Methods of Collection

    The data will be collected using a combination of methodologies 
appropriate to each survey. These methodologies include:
     Mail/e-mail surveys;
     Telephone surveys;
     Web-based surveys;
     Focus groups;
     In-person surveys.

                                       Estimated Annual Respondent Burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Number of
     Type of information collection           Number of       responses per       Hours per       Total burden
                                             respondents       respondent         response            hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mail/e-mail *...........................            51,000                 1             15/60            12,750
Telephone...............................               200                 1             40/60               134
Web-based...............................            52,000                 1             10/60             8,667
Focus Groups............................               200                 1               2.0               400
In-person...............................               200                 1             50/60               167
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...............................           103,600                na                na            22,118
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* May include telephone non-response follow-up in which case the burden will not change.

    This information collection will not impose a cost burden on the 
respondents beyond that associated with their time to provide the 
required data. There will be no additional costs for capital equipment, 
software, computer services, etc.

Estimated Annual Costs to the Federal Government

    The mail and telephone surveys and focus groups will in some cases 
be carried out under contract. Assuming the contract cost per survey is 
$50,000-$100,000, and for each focus group is $20,000, total contract 
costs could be $720,000 per year.

Request for Comments

    In accordance with the above-cited Paperwork Reduction Act 
legislation, comments on AHRQ's information collection are requested 
with regard to any of the following: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
AHRQ health care research and health care information dissemination 
functions, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of AHRQ's estimate of burden (including hours 
and costs) of the proposed collection(s) 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 upon the respondents, including the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and included in the Agency's subsequent request for OMB approval of the 
proposed information collection. All comments will become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: November 8, 2007.
Carolyn M. Clancy,
Director.
[FR Doc. 07-5734 Filed 11-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-90-M