[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 17, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7441-7442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3352]



[[Page 7441]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60 Day-09-0539]


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 Maryam I. Daneshvar, CDC Acting Reports Clearance 
Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS D-74, 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

    Estimating the Capacity for National and State-Level Colorectal 
Cancer Screening through a Survey of Endoscopic Capacity (SECAP II)--
Reinstatement with Changes--Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, 
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion 
(NCCDPHP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-
related deaths in the United States (U.S.). Removal of pre-cancerous 
polyps before they transform into cancer can prevent colorectal cancer 
from developing. Additionally, early asymptomatic cancers found through 
screening respond better to treatment than more advanced cancers that 
are detected once they become symptomatic. As a result, CRC is ideally 
suited for prevention and early detection through regular screening. 
Flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy, two lower gastrointestinal (GI) 
endoscopic procedures currently recommended as colorectal cancer 
screening tests, provide direct visualization of the colon, and allow 
qualified medical professionals to identify and remove polyps as well 
as to detect early cancers. Both of these tests require specialized 
training. Flexible sigmoidoscopy provides a view of only the lower half 
of the colon, but is still used widely. Colonoscopy, which provides a 
view of the entire colon, is both a primary screening test and the 
recommended follow-up procedure for any other positive colorectal 
cancer screening test.
    Information regarding the capacity of the U.S. health care system 
to provide lower GI endoscopic procedures is critical to planning 
widespread CRC screening programs. In 2002, CDC conducted the National 
Survey of Endoscopic Capacity (SECAP) (OMB No. 0920-0539, exp. 3/31/
2003) to obtain an estimate of the number of colorectal cancer 
screening and follow-up tests currently being performed, as well as the 
maximum number of screening and follow-up tests that could be performed 
in the event of widespread screening. In 2003-2005, CDC conducted 
similar surveys in 15 selected states to provide estimates at state and 
sub-state levels (State Survey of Endoscopic Capacity, OMB No. 0920-
0590, exp. 6/30/2006). These capacity estimates provided critical 
information that helped in the planning of national and state 
colorectal cancer screening efforts. However, in light of recent trends 
in colorectal cancer screening (e.g. , increases in the percentage of 
public and private insurers that reimburse for screening colonoscopy, 
increased use of colonoscopy and decreased use of flexible 
sigmoidoscopy, availability of other colorectal cancer screening 
procedures), there is a need to update estimates of endoscopic capacity 
to guide continued screening initiatives.
    CDC plans to request OMB approval for three years to conduct a 
national survey of endoscopic capacity again in 2009-2010, and 
additional state-level surveys over a three-year period. The proposed 
national survey will employ the same methodology used in the previous 
national survey, and the same--but updated--sampling frame. The 
proposed state-level information collection will include a census 
survey of selected states, based on methodology employed with the 
previously fielded state-based survey.
    The target population for the national survey will be all 
facilities in the U.S. that use lower gastrointestinal flexible 
endoscopic equipment for the detection of colorectal cancer in adults. 
Information will be collected from a random sample of 1,800 facilities, 
stratified by U.S. Census region and urban/rural location. Similarly, 
information will be collected from a census of qualifying facilities in 
up to 18 selected states. An average of 200 facilities will participate 
in each state capacity survey. The total estimated number of 
respondents for the state capacity surveys is 3,600 facilities. The 
same survey instrument will be used for both information collections. 
Minor, non-substantive changes to the self-administered, paper-and-
pencil survey instrument will be made to improve usability.
    The specific aims of the information collection are to provide: (1) 
Current estimates of the number of colorectal cancer screening and 
follow-up procedures being performed; (2) current estimates of the 
maximum number of procedures that could be performed in the event of 
widespread screening; and (3) information regarding the types of 
facilities and providers that perform the procedures.
    Facilities will be recruited and screened through a telephone 
interview. Participation is voluntary and there are no costs to 
respondents other than their time.

[[Page 7442]]



                                                            Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                                                             Number of    Average burden
               Type of respondent                               Form name                    Number of     responses per   per response    Total burden
                                                                                            respondents     respondent      (in hours)      (in hours)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medical Facilities that Perform CRC Screening..  State Survey Recruitment Interview.....           1,400               1            5/60             117
                                                 State SECAP Survey.....................           1,200               1           25/60             500
                                                 National Survey Recruitment Interview..             700               1            5/60              58
                                                 National SECAP Survey..................             600               1           25/60             250
                                                                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total......................................  .......................................  ..............  ..............  ..............             925
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    Dated: February 6, 2009
Maryam I. Daneshvar,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
 [FR Doc. E9-3352 Filed 2-13-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P