[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 113 (Wednesday, June 14, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27256-27257]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12272]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30 Day-17-1015]


Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted 
the following information collection request to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The notice for the proposed 
information collection is published to obtain comments from the public 
and affected agencies.
    Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected 
agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are 
encouraged. Your comments should address any of the following: (a) 
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary 
for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the 
accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; (d) Minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses; and 
(e) Assess information collection costs.
    To request additional information on the proposed project or to 
obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call 
(404) 639-7570 or send an email to [email protected]. Direct written comments 
and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice to the 
Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 
Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Written comments 
should be received within 30 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    The National Electronic Health Records Survey (NEHRS) (OMB Control 
No. 0920-1015, Expires 04/30/2017)-- Reinstatement with Change--
National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    Section 306 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 
242k), as amended, authorizes that the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services (DHHS), acting through NCHS, shall collect statistics on 
``utilization of health care'' in the United States. NEHRS was 
originally designed as a mail supplement to the National Ambulatory 
Medical Care Survey (NAMCS). Questions in NEHRS have been asked in 
NAMCS starting in 2001.
    The purpose of NEHRS is to measure progress toward goals for 
electronic health records (EHRs) adoption. NEHRS target universe 
consists of all non-Federal office-based physicians (excluding those in 
the specialties of anesthesiology, radiology, and pathology) who are 
engaged in direct patient care.
    NEHRS is the principal source of data on national and state-level 
EHR adoption in the United States. In 2008 and 2009, the sample size 
was 2,000 physicians annually. Starting in 2010, the annual sample size 
was increased five-fold, from 2,000 physicians to 10,302 physicians. 
The increased sample size allows for more reliable national estimates 
as well as state-level estimates on EHR adoption without having to be 
combined with NAMCS. For these reasons, in 2012 NEHRS became an 
independent survey, not as a supplement under NAMCS.
    NEHRS collects information on characteristics of physician 
practices, the capabilities of EHRs in those practices, and intent to 
apply for meaningful use incentive payments. These data, together with 
trend data, may be used to monitor the adoption of EHR as well as 
accessing factors associated with EHR adoption. In 2017, a set of 
follow-up questionnaires will be incorporated into the survey that 
focuses on content related to physician attitudes on using EHRs.
    Users of NEHRS data include, but are not limited to, Congressional 
offices, Federal agencies, state and local governments, schools of 
public health, colleges and universities, private industry, nonprofit 
foundations, professional associations, clinicians, researchers, 
administrators, and health planners. There is no cost to the 
respondents other than their time. The total estimated annualized 
burden hours are 6,295.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                                     Number of    Average burden
          Type of respondent                    Form name            Number of     responses per   per response
                                                                    respondents     respondent        (hours)
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Office-based physicians...............  NEHRS...................          10,302               1           30/60
Office-based physicians...............  Follow-up NEHRS Elec                 858               1           20/60
                                         Resp.
Office-based physicians...............  Follow-up NEHRS Non-Elec             859               1           20/60
                                         Resp.
Office-based physicians...............  Follow-up NEHRS Nonresp.           1,717               1           20/60
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[[Page 27257]]

Leroy A. Richardson,
Chief, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific 
Integrity, Office of the Associate Director for Science, Office of the 
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2017-12272 Filed 6-13-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P