[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 220 (Thursday, November 13, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67180-67181]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26988]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-09-09AD]


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 or 
send comments to CDC Acting 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.

[[Page 67181]]

Proposed Project

    Evaluation of the Field Triage Decision Scheme: The National Trauma 
Triage Protocol--New--Division of Injury Response (DIR), National 
Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    The ``Field Triage Decision Scheme: The National Trauma Triage 
Protocol'' educational initiative was developed to help emergency 
medical services (EMS) professionals (administrators, medical 
directors, trauma system leadership, and providers) learn about and 
implement the revised Field Triage Decision Scheme. The Decision Scheme 
is intended to be the foundation for the development of local and 
regional field triage protocols.
    In the United States, injury is the leading cause of death for 
persons aged 1-44 years. EMS professionals have a substantial impact on 
care of the injured and on public health. At an injury scene, EMS 
professionals determine the severity of injury, initiate medical 
management, and identify the most appropriate facility to which the 
patient should be transported. This destination decision is made 
through a process called field triage. Certain hospitals have 
additional expertise, resources, and equipment to treat severely 
injured patients. These facilities are known as trauma centers and are 
classified from Level I to Level IV. The risk for death of a severely 
injured person is 25% lower if the patient receives care at a Level I 
trauma center. However, not all patients require the services of a 
Level I trauma center; proper triage will ensure that patients who are 
injured less severely will be transported to a closer emergency 
department that is capable of managing their injuries.
    In an effort to encourage use of improved triage procedures, CDC's 
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) worked with 
experts and partner organizations to develop the 2006 Field Triage 
Decision Scheme. In support of the 2006 Field Triage Decision Scheme, 
NCIPC developed a multi-media toolkit aimed at EMS professionals. The 
toolkit includes A Guide to the Field Triage Decision Scheme: The 
National Trauma Triage Protocol, a poster, CD-ROM, and pocket card to 
help EMS providers, planners, and administrators effectively train 
others and use the Decision Scheme criteria within their own systems.
    After the national distribution, NCIPC will conduct an online 
survey of EMS professionals who have received a toolkit to assess the 
short-term impact of the communication initiative directed at EMS 
professionals about field triage procedures. Specifically, the survey 
will assess how many EMS professionals who received a copy of the 
Decision Scheme are using it, how EMS professionals have used the 
Decision Scheme and accompanying toolkit materials, how the materials 
have been used to educate others, what EMS professionals learned from 
the materials, and how the Decision Scheme changed EMS professional's 
triage practices. Survey results will be used to identify the impact 
and applicability of the Decision Scheme and toolkit materials for EMS 
professionals.
    NCIPC will also conduct focus groups with a segment of the survey 
respondents in order to have them elaborate on data submitted through 
the survey. These group interviews will focus on the extent the 
Decision Scheme is being used, how it is being implemented, self-
reported changes in knowledge, and perceived impact on treatment of 
trauma patients. There are no costs to respondents other than their 
time.

                                       Estimate of Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                                      Average
                                                     Number of       Number of      burden per     Total burden
      Type of  respondents           Form name      respondents    responses per   response  (in    (in hours)
                                                                    respondent        hours)
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EMS.............................   Online survey           3,000               1           15/60             750
Professionals...................   Screening and              48               1            5/60               4
                                     Recruitment
                                       for Focus
                                          Groups
                                    Focus Groups              64               1               1              64
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    Total.......................  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............             818
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    Dated: November 4, 2008.
Maryam I. Daneshvar,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
 [FR Doc. E8-26988 Filed 11-12-08; 8:45 am]
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