83_FR_25775 83 FR 25668 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

83 FR 25668 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 107 (June 4, 2018)

Page Range25668-25670
FR Document2018-11926

This notice announces the intention of AHRQ to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve the proposed information collection project ``Patient Safety Organization Certification for Initial Listing and Related Forms, Patient Safety Confidentiality Complaint Form, and Common Formats.'' This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on February 26, 2018 and allowed 60 days for public comment. AHRQ did not receive any substantive comments.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 107 (Monday, June 4, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 107 (Monday, June 4, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25668-25670]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11926]



[[Page 25668]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Department 
of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces the intention of AHRQ to request that 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve the proposed 
information collection project ``Patient Safety Organization 
Certification for Initial Listing and Related Forms, Patient Safety 
Confidentiality Complaint Form, and Common Formats.''
    This proposed information collection was previously published in 
the Federal Register on February 26, 2018 and allowed 60 days for 
public comment. AHRQ did not receive any substantive comments.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by July 5, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: AHRQ's OMB Desk 
Officer by fax at (202) 395-6974 (attention: AHRQ's desk officer) or by 
email at [email protected] (attention: AHRQ's desk officer).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ Reports 
Clearance Officer, (301) 427-1477, or by email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Proposed Project

Patient Safety Organization Certification for Initial Listing and 
Related Forms, Patient Safety Confidentiality Complaint Form, and 
Common Formats

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-
3521, AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information 
collection. The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 
(Patient Safety Act), signed into law on July 29, 2005, was enacted in 
response to growing concern about quality and patient safety in the 
United States and the Institute of Medicine's 1999 report, To Err is 
Human: Building a Safer Health System. The goal of the statute is to 
create a national learning system by providing for the voluntary 
formation of Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs). By analyzing 
substantial amounts of information across multiple institutions, PSOs 
are able to identify patterns of failures and propose quality and 
safety improvements. The Patient Safety Act signifies the Federal 
Government's commitment to fostering and creating an environment in 
which the causes of health care risks and hazards can be thoroughly and 
honestly examined and discussed without fear of penalties and 
liabilities.
    In order to implement the Patient Safety Act, HHS issued the 
Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Final Rule (Patient Safety Rule) 
which became effective on January 19, 2009. The Patient Safety Rule 
establishes a framework for the reporting of quality and patient safety 
information--by hospitals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other 
providers--to PSOs, on a privileged and confidential basis, for 
aggregation and analysis. In addition, the Patient Safety Rule outlines 
the requirements that entities must meet to become and remain listed as 
PSOs and the process by which the Secretary of HHS (Secretary) will 
accept certifications and list PSOs.
    When specific statutory requirements are met, the information 
collected and the analyses and deliberations regarding the information 
receive confidentiality and privilege protections under this 
legislation. The Secretary delegated authority to the Director of the 
Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to enforce the confidentiality 
protections of the Patient Safety Act (Federal Register, Vol. 71, No. 
95, May 17, 2006, p. 28701-2). OCR is responsible for enforcing 
confidentiality protections regarding patient safety work product 
(PSWP), which may include: Patient-, provider-, and reporter-
identifying information that is collected, created, or used for or by 
PSOs for patient safety and quality activities. Civil money penalties 
may be imposed for knowing or reckless impermissible disclosures of 
PSWP. AHRQ implements and administers the rest of the statute's 
provisions.
    Pursuant to the Patient Safety Rule, an entity that seeks to be 
listed as a PSO by the Secretary must certify that it meets certain 
requirements and, upon listing, would meet other criteria (42 CFR 
3.102). To remain listed for renewable three-year periods, a PSO must 
re-certify that it meets these obligations and would continue to meet 
them while listed. The Patient Safety Act and Patient Safety Rule also 
impose other obligations discussed below that a PSO must meet to remain 
listed. In accordance with the requirements of the Patient Safety Rule 
(see, e.g., 42 CFR 3.102(a)(1), 3.102(b)(2)(i)(E), 3.102(d)(1), and 
3.112), the entities seeking to be listed and to remain listed must 
complete the proposed forms, in order to attest to compliance with 
statutory criteria and the corresponding regulatory requirements.

Method of Collection

    With this submission, AHRQ is requesting approval of the following 
proposed administrative forms:

    1. PSO Certification for Initial Listing Form. This form, 
containing certifications of eligibility and a capacity and 
intention to comply with statutory criteria and regulatory 
requirements, is to be completed, in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 299b-
24(a)(1) and the corresponding regulatory provisions, by an entity 
seeking to be listed by the Secretary as a PSO for an initial three-
year period.
    2. PSO Certification for Continued Listing Form. In accordance 
with 42 U.S.C. 299b-24(a)(2) and the corresponding regulatory 
provisions, this form is to be completed by a listed PSO seeking 
continued listing as a PSO by the Secretary for each successive 
three-year period.
    3. PSO Two Bona Fide Contracts Requirement Certification Form. 
To remain listed, a PSO must meet a statutory requirement in 42 
U.S.C. 299b-24(b)(1)(C) that it has bona fide contracts with more 
than one provider, within successive 24-month periods, beginning 
with the date of the PSO's initial listing, for the purpose of 
receiving and reviewing patient safety work product. This form is to 
be used by a PSO to certify whether it has met this statutory 
requirement and the corresponding regulatory provisions.
    4. PSO Disclosure Statement Form. This form provides detailed 
instructions to a PSO regarding the disclosure statement it must 
submit and provides for the required certification of the 
statement's accuracy by the PSO in accordance with the 42 U.S.C. 
299b-24(b)(1)(E) whereby the entity shall fully disclose: (i) Any 
financial, reporting, or contractual relationship between the entity 
and any provider that contracts with the PSO; and (ii) if 
applicable, the fact that the PSO is not managed, not controlled, 
and operated independently from any provider that contracts with the 
PSO. In accordance with the Patient Safety Act and the Patient 
Safety Rule, the Secretary is required to review each such report 
and make public findings as to whether a PSO can fairly and 
accurately carry out its patient safety activities.
    5. PSO Profile Form. This form gathers information on the type 
of providers and settings with which PSOs are working to conduct 
patient safety activities in order to improve patient safety. It is 
designed to collect a minimum level of information necessary to 
develop aggregate data relating to the Patient Safety Act. This 
information will be included in AHRQ's annual quality report, 
required by 42 U.S.C. 299b-2(b)(2).
    6. PSO Change of Listing Information Form. The Secretary is 
required under 42 U.S.C. 299b-24(d) to maintain a publicly available 
list of PSOs. Under the Patient Safety Rule, that list includes, 
among other

[[Page 25669]]

information, each PSO's current contact information. The Patient 
Safety Rule, at 42 CFR 3.102(a)(1)(vi), also requires that, during 
its period of listing, a PSO must promptly notify the Secretary of 
any changes in the accuracy of the information submitted for 
listing.
    7. PSO Voluntary Relinquishment Form. A PSO may choose to 
voluntarily relinquish its status as a PSO for any reason. Pursuant 
to 42 CFR 3.108(c)(2), in order for the Secretary to accept a PSO's 
notification of voluntary relinquishment, the notice must contain 
certain attestations and future contact information. This form 
provides an efficient manner for a PSO seeking voluntary 
relinquishment to provide all of the required information.

    AHRQ will use these forms to obtain information necessary to carry 
out its authority to implement the Patient Safety Act and Patient 
Safety Rule. This includes obtaining initial and subsequent 
certifications from entities seeking to be or remain listed as PSOs and 
for making the statutorily-required determinations prior to and during 
an entity's period of listing as a PSO. This information is used by the 
PSO Program Office housed in AHRQ's Center for Quality Improvement and 
Patient Safety.
    OCR is requesting approval of the following administrative form:
    Patient Safety Confidentiality Complaint Form. The purpose of this 
collection is to allow OCR to collect the minimum information needed 
from individuals filing patient safety confidentiality complaints with 
OCR so that there is a basis for initial processing of those 
complaints.
    OCR will use the Patient Safety Confidentiality Complaint Form to 
collect information for the initial assessment of an incoming 
complaint. The form is modeled on OCR's form for complaints alleging 
violation of the privacy of protected health information. Use of the 
form is voluntary. It may help a complainant provide the essential 
information. Alternatively, a complainant may choose to submit a 
complaint in the form of a letter or electronically. An individual who 
needs help to submit a complaint in writing may call OCR for 
assistance.
    The forms described above, other than the PSO Voluntary 
Relinquishment Form, are revised collection instruments that were 
previously approved by OMB in 2008, 2011, and 2014.
    In addition, AHRQ is requesting approval for a set of common 
definitions and reporting formats (hereafter Common Formats). AHRQ 
coordinates the development of the Common Formats, as authorized by 42 
U.S.C. 299b-23(b), that allow PSOs and providers to voluntarily collect 
and submit standardized information regarding patient safety events to 
ensure that data collected by PSOs and other entities have comparable 
clinical meaning. The Common Formats facilitate aggregation of 
comparable data at local, PSO, regional and national levels.

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden

    The information collection forms that are the subject of this 
notice will be implemented at different times and frequencies due to 
the voluntary nature of: Seeking listing and remaining listed as a PSO, 
filing an OCR Patient Safety Confidentiality Complaint Form, and using 
the Common Formats. The burden estimates are based on the average of 
the forms submissions received over the past three years.
    Exhibit 1 shows the estimated annualized burden hours for the 
respondent to provide the requested information, and Exhibit 2 shows 
the estimated annualized cost burden associated with the respondents' 
time to provide the requested information. The total burden hours are 
estimated to be 100,724.88 hours annually and the total cost burden is 
estimated to be $3,833,588.92 annually.
    PSO Certification for Initial Listing Form: The average annual 
burden for the collection of information requested by the certification 
form for initial listing is based upon a total average estimate of 16 
respondents per year and an estimated time of 18 hours per response. 
The estimated response number not only includes submissions by entities 
subsequently listed as PSOs, but also entities that submit an initial 
listing form that do not become a PSO. After submitting a PSO 
Certification for Initial Listing Form, an entity may withdraw its form 
or submit a revised form, particularly after receiving technical 
assistance from AHRQ. In addition, AHRQ, on behalf of the Secretary, 
may deny listing if an entity does not meet the requirements of the 
Patient Safety Act and Patient Safety Rule.
    PSO Certification for Continued Listing Form: The average annual 
burden for the collection of information requested by the certification 
form for continued listing has an estimated time of eight hours per 
response and 21 responses annually. The PSO Certification for Continued 
Listing Form must be completed by any interested PSO at least 75 days 
before the end of its current three-year listing period.
    PSO Two Bona Fide Contracts Requirement Certification Form: The 
average annual burden for the collection of information requested by 
the PSO Two Bona Fide Contract Certification Form is based upon an 
estimate of 42 respondents per year and an estimated one hour per 
response. This collection of information takes place at least every 24 
months when the PSO notifies the Secretary that it has entered into two 
contracts with providers.
    PSO Disclosure Statement Form: Because only a small percentage of 
PSOs will need to file a Disclosure Statement Form, the average burden 
for the collection of information requested by the disclosure form is 
based upon an estimate of three respondents per year and estimated 
three hours per response. This information collection takes place 
within 45 days of when a PSO begins having any of the specified types 
of additional relationships with a provider with which it has a 
contract to carry out patient safety activities.
    PSO Profile Form: The overall annual burden for the collection of 
information requested by the PSO Profile Form is based upon an estimate 
of 70 respondents per year and an estimated three hours per response. 
The collection of information takes place annually, with newly listed 
PSOs initially requested to submit the form in the calendar year after 
their listing by the Secretary.
    Change of Listing Information Form: The average annual burden for 
the collection of information requested by the PSO Change of Listing 
Information Form is based upon an estimate of 61 respondents per year 
and an estimated time of five minutes per response. This collection of 
information takes place on an ongoing basis as needed when there are 
changes to the PSO's listing information.
    OCR Patient Safety Confidentiality Complaint Form: The overall 
annual burden estimate of one third of an hour for the collection of 
information requested by the form is based on an estimate of one 
respondent per year and an estimated 20 minutes per response; the 
estimate of one form is provided due to the fact that no submissions 
have been received. OCR's information collection using this form will 
not begin until after there is an allegation of a violation of the 
confidentiality protections of PSWP.
    PSO Voluntary Relinquishment Form: The average annual burden for 
the collection of information requested by the PSO Voluntary 
Relinquishment Form is based upon a total average estimate of five 
respondents per year and an estimated time of five minutes per 
response.
    Common Formats: AHRQ estimates that 5% FTE of a patient safety 
manager at a facility will be spent to administer

[[Page 25670]]

the Common Formats, which is approximately 100 hours a year. The use of 
the Common Formats by PSOs and other entities is voluntary and is on an 
ongoing basis. This estimate of the number of respondents is based on 
the feedback that AHRQ has received during meetings and technical 
assistance calls from PSOs and other entities that have been utilizing 
the Common Formats. As the network for patient safety databases (NPSD) 
becomes operational, AHRQ will revise the estimate based on actual 
submissions.

                                  Exhibit 1--Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Number of
                      Form                           Number of     responses per     Hours per     Total burden
                                                    respondents     respondent       response          hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PSO Certification for Initial Listing Form......              16               1              18             288
PSO Certification for Continued Listing Form....              21               1               8             168
PSO Two Bona Fide Contracts Requirement Form....              42               1               1              42
PSO Disclosure Statement Form...................               3               1               3               9
PSO Profile Form................................              70               1               3             210
PSO Change of Listing Information...............              61               1           05/60            5.08
OCR Patient Safety Confidentiality Complaint                   1               1           20/60            0.33
 Form...........................................
PSO Voluntary Relinquishment Form...............               5               1           30/60            2.50
Common Formats..................................           1,000               1             100         100,000
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................  ..............              NA              NA      100,724.91
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                   Exhibit 2--Estimated Annualized Cost Burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Number of     Total burden   Average hourly
                      Form                          respondents        hours        wage rate *     Total cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PSO Certification for Initial Listing Form......              16             288          $38.06      $10,961.28
PSO Certification for Continued Listing Form....              21             168           38.06        6,394.08
PSO Two Bona Fide Contracts Requirement Form....              42              42           38.06        1,598.52
PSO Disclosure Statement Form...................               3               9           38.06          342.54
PSO Profile Form................................              70             210           38.06        7,992.60
PSO Change of Listing Form......................              61            5.08           38.06          193.34
OCR Patient Safety Confidentiality Complaint                   1            0.33           38.06           12.55
 Form...........................................
PSO Voluntary Relinquishment Form...............               5            2.50           38.06           95.15
Common Formats..................................           1,000         100,000           38.06    3,806,000.00
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................  ..............  ..............  ..............    3,833,590.06
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Based upon the mean of the hourly average wages for health care practitioner and technical occupations, 29-
  0000, National Compensation Survey, May 2016, ``U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.'' https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes290000.htm.

Request for Comments

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, comments on AHRQ's 
information collection are requested with regard to any of the 
following: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of AHRQ functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility, and; for OCR's 
enforcement of confidentiality; (b) the accuracy of AHRQ's estimate of 
burden (including hours and costs) of the proposed collection(s) 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 upon the respondents, including the use 
of automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and included in the Agency's subsequent request for OMB approval of the 
proposed information collection. All comments will become a matter of 
public record.

Francis D. Chesley, Jr.,
Acting Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 2018-11926 Filed 6-1-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4160-90-P



                                                25668                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 107 / Monday, June 4, 2018 / Notices

                                                DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND                                analyzing substantial amounts of                       3.102(a)(1), 3.102(b)(2)(i)(E), 3.102(d)(1),
                                                HUMAN SERVICES                                          information across multiple institutions,              and 3.112), the entities seeking to be
                                                                                                        PSOs are able to identify patterns of                  listed and to remain listed must
                                                Agency for Healthcare Research and                      failures and propose quality and safety                complete the proposed forms, in order
                                                Quality                                                 improvements. The Patient Safety Act                   to attest to compliance with statutory
                                                                                                        signifies the Federal Government’s                     criteria and the corresponding
                                                Agency Information Collection                           commitment to fostering and creating an                regulatory requirements.
                                                Activities: Proposed Collection;                        environment in which the causes of
                                                Comment Request                                         health care risks and hazards can be                   Method of Collection
                                                                                                        thoroughly and honestly examined and                     With this submission, AHRQ is
                                                AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research
                                                                                                        discussed without fear of penalties and                requesting approval of the following
                                                and Quality (AHRQ), Department of
                                                                                                        liabilities.                                           proposed administrative forms:
                                                Health and Human Services (HHS).
                                                                                                           In order to implement the Patient                      1. PSO Certification for Initial Listing
                                                ACTION: Notice.
                                                                                                        Safety Act, HHS issued the Patient                     Form. This form, containing certifications of
                                                SUMMARY:    This notice announces the                   Safety and Quality Improvement Final                   eligibility and a capacity and intention to
                                                intention of AHRQ to request that the                   Rule (Patient Safety Rule) which became                comply with statutory criteria and regulatory
                                                                                                        effective on January 19, 2009. The                     requirements, is to be completed, in
                                                Office of Management and Budget                                                                                accordance with 42 U.S.C. 299b–24(a)(1) and
                                                (OMB) approve the proposed                              Patient Safety Rule establishes a
                                                                                                        framework for the reporting of quality                 the corresponding regulatory provisions, by
                                                information collection project ‘‘Patient                                                                       an entity seeking to be listed by the Secretary
                                                Safety Organization Certification for                   and patient safety information—by                      as a PSO for an initial three-year period.
                                                Initial Listing and Related Forms,                      hospitals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists,                  2. PSO Certification for Continued Listing
                                                Patient Safety Confidentiality                          and other providers—to PSOs, on a                      Form. In accordance with 42 U.S.C. 299b–
                                                Complaint Form, and Common                              privileged and confidential basis, for                 24(a)(2) and the corresponding regulatory
                                                Formats.’’                                              aggregation and analysis. In addition,                 provisions, this form is to be completed by
                                                                                                        the Patient Safety Rule outlines the                   a listed PSO seeking continued listing as a
                                                   This proposed information collection                                                                        PSO by the Secretary for each successive
                                                was previously published in the Federal                 requirements that entities must meet to
                                                                                                        become and remain listed as PSOs and                   three-year period.
                                                Register on February 26, 2018 and                                                                                 3. PSO Two Bona Fide Contracts
                                                allowed 60 days for public comment.                     the process by which the Secretary of
                                                                                                                                                               Requirement Certification Form. To remain
                                                AHRQ did not receive any substantive                    HHS (Secretary) will accept                            listed, a PSO must meet a statutory
                                                comments.                                               certifications and list PSOs.                          requirement in 42 U.S.C. 299b–24(b)(1)(C)
                                                                                                           When specific statutory requirements                that it has bona fide contracts with more than
                                                DATES: Comments on this notice must be                  are met, the information collected and                 one provider, within successive 24-month
                                                received by July 5, 2018.                               the analyses and deliberations regarding               periods, beginning with the date of the PSO’s
                                                ADDRESSES: Written comments should                      the information receive confidentiality                initial listing, for the purpose of receiving
                                                be submitted to: AHRQ’s OMB Desk                        and privilege protections under this                   and reviewing patient safety work product.
                                                Officer by fax at (202) 395–6974                        legislation. The Secretary delegated                   This form is to be used by a PSO to certify
                                                (attention: AHRQ’s desk officer) or by                  authority to the Director of the Office for            whether it has met this statutory requirement
                                                email at OIRA_submission@                                                                                      and the corresponding regulatory provisions.
                                                                                                        Civil Rights (OCR) to enforce the                         4. PSO Disclosure Statement Form. This
                                                omb.eop.gov (attention: AHRQ’s desk                     confidentiality protections of the Patient             form provides detailed instructions to a PSO
                                                officer).                                               Safety Act (Federal Register, Vol. 71,                 regarding the disclosure statement it must
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        No. 95, May 17, 2006, p. 28701–2). OCR                 submit and provides for the required
                                                Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ Reports                           is responsible for enforcing                           certification of the statement’s accuracy by
                                                Clearance Officer, (301) 427–1477, or by                confidentiality protections regarding                  the PSO in accordance with the 42 U.S.C.
                                                                                                        patient safety work product (PSWP),                    299b–24(b)(1)(E) whereby the entity shall
                                                email at doris.lefkowitz@AHRQ.hhs.gov.
                                                                                                        which may include: Patient-,                           fully disclose: (i) Any financial, reporting, or
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                                                                                     contractual relationship between the entity
                                                                                                        provider-, and reporter-identifying
                                                                                                                                                               and any provider that contracts with the
                                                Proposed Project                                        information that is collected, created, or             PSO; and (ii) if applicable, the fact that the
                                                                                                        used for or by PSOs for patient safety                 PSO is not managed, not controlled, and
                                                Patient Safety Organization
                                                                                                        and quality activities. Civil money                    operated independently from any provider
                                                Certification for Initial Listing and
                                                                                                        penalties may be imposed for knowing                   that contracts with the PSO. In accordance
                                                Related Forms, Patient Safety
                                                                                                        or reckless impermissible disclosures of               with the Patient Safety Act and the Patient
                                                Confidentiality Complaint Form, and
                                                                                                        PSWP. AHRQ implements and                              Safety Rule, the Secretary is required to
                                                Common Formats                                                                                                 review each such report and make public
                                                                                                        administers the rest of the statute’s
                                                  In accordance with the Paperwork                      provisions.                                            findings as to whether a PSO can fairly and
                                                Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501–3521,                        Pursuant to the Patient Safety Rule, an             accurately carry out its patient safety
                                                AHRQ invites the public to comment on                                                                          activities.
                                                                                                        entity that seeks to be listed as a PSO
                                                                                                                                                                  5. PSO Profile Form. This form gathers
                                                this proposed information collection.                   by the Secretary must certify that it                  information on the type of providers and
                                                The Patient Safety and Quality                          meets certain requirements and, upon                   settings with which PSOs are working to
                                                Improvement Act of 2005 (Patient Safety                 listing, would meet other criteria (42                 conduct patient safety activities in order to
                                                Act), signed into law on July 29, 2005,                 CFR 3.102). To remain listed for                       improve patient safety. It is designed to
                                                was enacted in response to growing                      renewable three-year periods, a PSO                    collect a minimum level of information
                                                concern about quality and patient safety                must re-certify that it meets these                    necessary to develop aggregate data relating
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                in the United States and the Institute of               obligations and would continue to meet                 to the Patient Safety Act. This information
                                                Medicine’s 1999 report, To Err is                       them while listed. The Patient Safety                  will be included in AHRQ’s annual quality
                                                                                                                                                               report, required by 42 U.S.C. 299b–2(b)(2).
                                                Human: Building a Safer Health System.                  Act and Patient Safety Rule also impose                   6. PSO Change of Listing Information
                                                The goal of the statute is to create a                  other obligations discussed below that a               Form. The Secretary is required under 42
                                                national learning system by providing                   PSO must meet to remain listed. In                     U.S.C. 299b–24(d) to maintain a publicly
                                                for the voluntary formation of Patient                  accordance with the requirements of the                available list of PSOs. Under the Patient
                                                Safety Organizations (PSOs). By                         Patient Safety Rule (see, e.g., 42 CFR                 Safety Rule, that list includes, among other



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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 107 / Monday, June 4, 2018 / Notices                                            25669

                                                information, each PSO’s current contact                 submit standardized information                        Two Bona Fide Contract Certification
                                                information. The Patient Safety Rule, at 42             regarding patient safety events to ensure              Form is based upon an estimate of 42
                                                CFR 3.102(a)(1)(vi), also requires that, during         that data collected by PSOs and other                  respondents per year and an estimated
                                                its period of listing, a PSO must promptly              entities have comparable clinical                      one hour per response. This collection
                                                notify the Secretary of any changes in the
                                                                                                        meaning. The Common Formats                            of information takes place at least every
                                                accuracy of the information submitted for
                                                listing.                                                facilitate aggregation of comparable data              24 months when the PSO notifies the
                                                   7. PSO Voluntary Relinquishment Form. A              at local, PSO, regional and national                   Secretary that it has entered into two
                                                PSO may choose to voluntarily relinquish its            levels.                                                contracts with providers.
                                                status as a PSO for any reason. Pursuant to                                                                       PSO Disclosure Statement Form:
                                                                                                        Estimated Annual Respondent Burden                     Because only a small percentage of
                                                42 CFR 3.108(c)(2), in order for the Secretary
                                                to accept a PSO’s notification of voluntary                The information collection forms that               PSOs will need to file a Disclosure
                                                relinquishment, the notice must contain                 are the subject of this notice will be                 Statement Form, the average burden for
                                                certain attestations and future contact                 implemented at different times and                     the collection of information requested
                                                information. This form provides an efficient            frequencies due to the voluntary nature                by the disclosure form is based upon an
                                                manner for a PSO seeking voluntary                      of: Seeking listing and remaining listed               estimate of three respondents per year
                                                relinquishment to provide all of the required           as a PSO, filing an OCR Patient Safety
                                                information.
                                                                                                                                                               and estimated three hours per response.
                                                                                                        Confidentiality Complaint Form, and                    This information collection takes place
                                                  AHRQ will use these forms to obtain                   using the Common Formats. The burden                   within 45 days of when a PSO begins
                                                information necessary to carry out its                  estimates are based on the average of the              having any of the specified types of
                                                authority to implement the Patient                      forms submissions received over the                    additional relationships with a provider
                                                Safety Act and Patient Safety Rule. This                past three years.                                      with which it has a contract to carry out
                                                includes obtaining initial and                             Exhibit 1 shows the estimated                       patient safety activities.
                                                subsequent certifications from entities                 annualized burden hours for the                           PSO Profile Form: The overall annual
                                                seeking to be or remain listed as PSOs                  respondent to provide the requested                    burden for the collection of information
                                                and for making the statutorily-required                 information, and Exhibit 2 shows the                   requested by the PSO Profile Form is
                                                determinations prior to and during an                   estimated annualized cost burden                       based upon an estimate of 70
                                                entity’s period of listing as a PSO. This               associated with the respondents’ time to               respondents per year and an estimated
                                                information is used by the PSO Program                  provide the requested information. The                 three hours per response. The collection
                                                Office housed in AHRQ’s Center for                      total burden hours are estimated to be                 of information takes place annually,
                                                Quality Improvement and Patient                         100,724.88 hours annually and the total                with newly listed PSOs initially
                                                Safety.                                                 cost burden is estimated to be                         requested to submit the form in the
                                                  OCR is requesting approval of the                     $3,833,588.92 annually.                                calendar year after their listing by the
                                                following administrative form:                             PSO Certification for Initial Listing               Secretary.
                                                  Patient Safety Confidentiality                        Form: The average annual burden for                       Change of Listing Information Form:
                                                Complaint Form. The purpose of this                     the collection of information requested                The average annual burden for the
                                                collection is to allow OCR to collect the               by the certification form for initial                  collection of information requested by
                                                minimum information needed from                         listing is based upon a total average                  the PSO Change of Listing Information
                                                individuals filing patient safety                       estimate of 16 respondents per year and                Form is based upon an estimate of 61
                                                confidentiality complaints with OCR so                  an estimated time of 18 hours per                      respondents per year and an estimated
                                                that there is a basis for initial processing            response. The estimated response                       time of five minutes per response. This
                                                of those complaints.                                    number not only includes submissions                   collection of information takes place on
                                                  OCR will use the Patient Safety                       by entities subsequently listed as PSOs,               an ongoing basis as needed when there
                                                Confidentiality Complaint Form to                       but also entities that submit an initial               are changes to the PSO’s listing
                                                collect information for the initial                     listing form that do not become a PSO.                 information.
                                                assessment of an incoming complaint.                    After submitting a PSO Certification for                  OCR Patient Safety Confidentiality
                                                The form is modeled on OCR’s form for                   Initial Listing Form, an entity may                    Complaint Form: The overall annual
                                                complaints alleging violation of the                    withdraw its form or submit a revised                  burden estimate of one third of an hour
                                                privacy of protected health information.                form, particularly after receiving                     for the collection of information
                                                Use of the form is voluntary. It may help               technical assistance from AHRQ. In                     requested by the form is based on an
                                                a complainant provide the essential                     addition, AHRQ, on behalf of the                       estimate of one respondent per year and
                                                information. Alternatively, a                           Secretary, may deny listing if an entity               an estimated 20 minutes per response;
                                                complainant may choose to submit a                      does not meet the requirements of the                  the estimate of one form is provided due
                                                complaint in the form of a letter or                    Patient Safety Act and Patient Safety                  to the fact that no submissions have
                                                electronically. An individual who needs                 Rule.                                                  been received. OCR’s information
                                                help to submit a complaint in writing                      PSO Certification for Continued                     collection using this form will not begin
                                                may call OCR for assistance.                            Listing Form: The average annual                       until after there is an allegation of a
                                                  The forms described above, other than                 burden for the collection of information               violation of the confidentiality
                                                the PSO Voluntary Relinquishment                        requested by the certification form for                protections of PSWP.
                                                Form, are revised collection instruments                continued listing has an estimated time                   PSO Voluntary Relinquishment Form:
                                                that were previously approved by OMB                    of eight hours per response and 21                     The average annual burden for the
                                                in 2008, 2011, and 2014.                                responses annually. The PSO                            collection of information requested by
                                                  In addition, AHRQ is requesting
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                                                                                                        Certification for Continued Listing Form               the PSO Voluntary Relinquishment
                                                approval for a set of common definitions                must be completed by any interested                    Form is based upon a total average
                                                and reporting formats (hereafter                        PSO at least 75 days before the end of                 estimate of five respondents per year
                                                Common Formats). AHRQ coordinates                       its current three-year listing period.                 and an estimated time of five minutes
                                                the development of the Common                              PSO Two Bona Fide Contracts                         per response.
                                                Formats, as authorized by 42 U.S.C.                     Requirement Certification Form: The                       Common Formats: AHRQ estimates
                                                299b–23(b), that allow PSOs and                         average annual burden for the collection               that 5% FTE of a patient safety manager
                                                providers to voluntarily collect and                    of information requested by the PSO                    at a facility will be spent to administer


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                                                25670                                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 107 / Monday, June 4, 2018 / Notices

                                                the Common Formats, which is                                                number of respondents is based on the                                       Common Formats. As the network for
                                                approximately 100 hours a year. The use                                     feedback that AHRQ has received                                             patient safety databases (NPSD)
                                                of the Common Formats by PSOs and                                           during meetings and technical                                               becomes operational, AHRQ will revise
                                                other entities is voluntary and is on an                                    assistance calls from PSOs and other                                        the estimate based on actual
                                                ongoing basis. This estimate of the                                         entities that have been utilizing the                                       submissions.

                                                                                                               EXHIBIT 1—ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED BURDEN HOURS
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Number of
                                                                                                                                                                           Number of                                              Hours per               Total burden
                                                                                                      Form                                                                                          responses per
                                                                                                                                                                          respondents                                             response                   hours
                                                                                                                                                                                                      respondent

                                                PSO Certification for Initial Listing Form .........................................................                                       16                             1                      18                288
                                                PSO Certification for Continued Listing Form .................................................                                             21                             1                       8                168
                                                PSO Two Bona Fide Contracts Requirement Form ........................................                                                      42                             1                       1                 42
                                                PSO Disclosure Statement Form ....................................................................                                          3                             1                       3                  9
                                                PSO Profile Form ............................................................................................                              70                             1                       3                210
                                                PSO Change of Listing Information .................................................................                                        61                             1                   05/60               5.08
                                                OCR Patient Safety Confidentiality Complaint Form .......................................                                                   1                             1                   20/60               0.33
                                                PSO Voluntary Relinquishment Form ..............................................................                                            5                             1                   30/60               2.50
                                                Common Formats ............................................................................................                             1,000                             1                     100            100,000

                                                      Total ..........................................................................................................   ........................                      NA                         NA        100,724.91


                                                                                                                EXHIBIT 2—ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST BURDEN
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Average
                                                                                                                                                                           Number of                 Total burden
                                                                                                      Form                                                                                                                       hourly wage               Total cost
                                                                                                                                                                          respondents                   hours                       rate *

                                                PSO Certification for Initial Listing Form .........................................................                                       16                      288                      $38.06          $10,961.28
                                                PSO Certification for Continued Listing Form .................................................                                             21                      168                       38.06            6,394.08
                                                PSO Two Bona Fide Contracts Requirement Form ........................................                                                      42                       42                       38.06            1,598.52
                                                PSO Disclosure Statement Form ....................................................................                                          3                        9                       38.06              342.54
                                                PSO Profile Form ............................................................................................                              70                      210                       38.06            7,992.60
                                                PSO Change of Listing Form ..........................................................................                                      61                     5.08                       38.06              193.34
                                                OCR Patient Safety Confidentiality Complaint Form .......................................                                                   1                     0.33                       38.06               12.55
                                                PSO Voluntary Relinquishment Form ..............................................................                                            5                     2.50                       38.06               95.15
                                                Common Formats ............................................................................................                             1,000                  100,000                       38.06        3,806,000.00

                                                      Total ..........................................................................................................   ........................   ........................   ........................   3,833,590.06
                                                  * Based upon the mean of the hourly average wages for health care practitioner and technical occupations, 29–0000, National Compensation
                                                Survey, May 2016, ‘‘U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.’’ https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes290000.htm.


                                                Request for Comments                                                        comments will become a matter of                                            Systems Engineering, and Health
                                                   In accordance with the Paperwork                                         public record.                                                              Services Research (R18).’’ Each SEP
                                                                                                                                                                                                        meeting will commence in open session
                                                Reduction Act, comments on AHRQ’s                                           Francis D. Chesley, Jr.,
                                                                                                                                                                                                        before closing to the public for the
                                                information collection are requested                                        Acting Deputy Director.                                                     duration of the meeting.
                                                with regard to any of the following: (a)                                    [FR Doc. 2018–11926 Filed 6–1–18; 8:45 am]
                                                Whether the proposed collection of                                                                                                                      DATES: June 13–14, 2018 (Open on June
                                                                                                                            BILLING CODE 4160–90–P
                                                information is necessary for the proper                                                                                                                 13th from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and
                                                performance of AHRQ functions,                                                                                                                          closed for the remainder of the meeting).
                                                including whether the information will                                                                                                                  ADDRESSES: Hilton Washington DC/
                                                                                                                            DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
                                                have practical utility, and; for OCR’s                                      HUMAN SERVICES                                                              Rockville Hotel & Executive Meeting,
                                                enforcement of confidentiality; (b) the                                                                                                                 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD
                                                accuracy of AHRQ’s estimate of burden                                       Agency for Healthcare Research and                                          20850.
                                                (including hours and costs) of the                                          Quality                                                                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                proposed collection(s) of information;                                                                                                                  Anyone wishing to obtain a roster of
                                                (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility                                    Notice of Meeting                                                           members, agenda or minutes of the non-
                                                and clarity of the information to be                                        AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research                                      confidential portions of this meeting
                                                collected; and (d) ways to minimize the                                     and Quality, HHS.                                                           should contact: Mrs. Bonnie Campbell,
                                                burden of the collection of information                                     ACTION: Notice.
                                                                                                                                                                                                        Committee Management Officer, Office
                                                upon the respondents, including the use                                                                                                                 of Extramural Research, Education and
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                of automated collection techniques or                                       SUMMARY:   The Agency for Healthcare                                        Priority Populations, AHRQ, 5600
                                                other forms of information technology.                                      Research and Quality (AHRQ)                                                 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland
                                                   Comments submitted in response to                                        announces the Special Emphasis Panel                                        20850, Telephone: (301) 427–1554.
                                                this notice will be summarized and                                          (SEP) meeting on AHRQ–HS–18–001,                                              Agenda items for this meeting are
                                                included in the Agency’s subsequent                                         ‘‘Patient Safety Learning Laboratories:                                     subject to change as priorities dictate.
                                                request for OMB approval of the                                             Pursuing Safety in Diagnosis and                                            SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
                                                proposed information collection. All                                        Treatment at the Intersection of Design,                                    accordance with section 10 (a)(2) of the


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Document Created: 2018-06-02 00:47:26
Document Modified: 2018-06-02 00:47:26
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesComments on this notice must be received by July 5, 2018.
ContactDoris Lefkowitz, AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer, (301) 427-1477, or by email at [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 25668 

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