[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 25, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70282-70283]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27852]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0701]


Proposed Information Collection (VA Form 10-21081 Bereaved Family 
Member Satisfactory Survey) Activity: Comment Request.

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment 
on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are 
required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each 
proposed collection of information, including each extension 
collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the 
notice. This notice solicits comments on the information needed for 
Veterans, Veteran Representatives and health care providers to request 
reimbursement from the federal government for emergency services at a 
private institution.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before January 26, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov; 
or Audrey Revere, Office of Regulatory and Administrative Affairs, 
Veterans Health Administration (10B4), Department of Veterans Affairs, 
810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420 or email: 
[email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0701'' in 
any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed 
online through the FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Audrey Revere at (202) 461-5694.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44 
U.S.C. 3501-3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being 
made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VHA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's

[[Page 70283]]

functions, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of VHA's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use 
of other forms of information technology.
    Titles: Bereaved Family Member Satisfaction Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0701.
    Type of Review: Revision.
    Abstract: The death rate for Veterans will continue to grow as the 
number of Veterans 85 years of age and older is projected to increase 
by 32 percent between 2009 and 2018. Given this trend, the VA will face 
substantial challenges in providing care to Veterans near the end of 
life. For example, extensive data from non-VA health care systems 
demonstrates that physical symptoms like pain, dyspnea and nausea are 
common in advanced illness, but are under-recognized and inadequately 
managed. Other studies have found that providers often lack the time 
and communication skills to discuss goals of care and treatment 
preferences with patients and families; there is strong evidence that 
when providers fail to discuss goals of care with patients and 
families, patients often receive unwanted, aggressive life-sustaining 
treatment that is not consistent with their preferences. A related 
problem has been the high incidence of deaths in an acute care setting. 
As many Veterans approaching end of life may prefer a more quiet and 
comfortable setting than can be provided in acute care, with improved 
communications and availability of services much of this end of life 
care could be shifted to a VA hospice unit or to hospice in the 
Veteran's home. The VA has been and continues to be a leader among 
healthcare systems in the provision of hospice and palliative care. 
National VA initiatives have been implemented and continue to support 
the development and expertise of palliative care consult teams.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 1,833 burden hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 10 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Annually.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 11,000

    Dated: November 20, 2014.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Crystal Rennie,
Department Clearance Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2014-27852 Filed 11-24-14; 8:45 am]
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