[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 150 (Monday, August 7, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52163-52164]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16758]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-23-1015]


Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the information 
collection request titled ``National Electronic Health Records Survey 
(NEHRS)'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and 
approval. CDC previously published a ``Proposed Data Collection 
Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations'' notice on May 19, 
2023 to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. CDC 
received three comments related to the previous notice. This notice 
serves to allow an additional 30 days for public and affected agency 
comments.
    CDC will accept all comments for this proposed information 
collection project. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly 
interested in comments that:
    (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

[[Page 52164]]

instruments, call (404) 639-7570. Comments and recommendations for the 
proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of 
publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find 
this particular information collection by selecting ``Currently under 
30-day Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search 
function. Direct written comments and/or suggestions regarding the 
items contained in this notice to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, 
Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 
20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Provide written comments within 30 
days of notice publication.

Proposed Project

    National Electronic Health Records Survey (NEHRS) (OMB Control No. 
0920-1015)--Reinstatement--National Center for Health Statistics 
(NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) requests a 
Reinstatement of a previously approved collection titled the National 
Electronic Health Records Survey (NEHRS) for a three-year clearance. 
NCHS is requesting approval to collect data for 2024, 2025, and 2026 
NEHRS cohorts. NEHRS is a national survey of office-based physicians 
conducted by NCHS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 
NEHRS is sponsored by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health 
Information Technology (ONC), Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS). The survey is conducted under the authority of Section 306 of 
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 242k).
    Although there are other surveys that collect information from 
United States office-based physicians, NEHRS is unique in that it 
provides nationally representative information about the use of 
electronic health records (EHR) and other health information 
technologies. Additional justifications for conducting future rounds of 
NEHRS include the need for more complete data to study: (1) 
documentation of social needs; (2) trends in interoperability; (3) the 
exchange of patient health information with public health agencies; and 
(4) the use of telemedicine technology. The new data collections will 
reestablish trends of patient health information exchange with public 
health agencies, telemedicine technology use, as well as the evolving 
engagement in interoperability; particularly with respect to 
electronically sending, receiving, integrating, and searching for 
patient health information through these systems. Improving 
interoperability of electronic health information is a major priority 
for ONC, and NEHRS can provide ONC with data on physicians' experience 
with interoperability.
    CDC requests OMB approval for an estimated 5,544 annual burden 
hours. There is no cost to respondents other than their time.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                                   Number of      Average burden
         Type of respondents                 Form name            Number of      responses per     per response
                                                                 respondents       respondent       (in hours)
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Office-based physicians or office     NEHRS..................          16,633                1            20/60
 staff.
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Jeffrey M. Zirger,
Lead, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Public Health 
Ethics and Regulations, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2023-16758 Filed 8-4-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P