83 FR 42983 - Notice of Request for Information Regarding Health Care Standards for Quality

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 165 (August 24, 2018)

Page Range		42983-42984
FR Document		2018-18440

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is requesting information to assist in establishing health care standards for quality regarding hospital care, medical services, and extended care services furnished by the Department, including through non-Department health care providers.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 165 (Friday, August 24, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 165 (Friday, August 24, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42983-42984]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18440]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Notice of Request for Information Regarding Health Care Standards 
for Quality

AGENCY: Office of Reporting, Analytics, Performance, Improvement, and 
Deployment (RAPID), Veterans Health Administration, Department of 
Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice; request for information.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is requesting 
information to assist in establishing health care standards for quality 
regarding hospital care, medical services, and extended care services 
furnished by the Department, including through non-Department health 
care providers.

DATES: Comments must be received by VA on or before September 24, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted through http://www.regulations.gov; by mail or hand delivery to the Director, Office 
of Regulation Policy and Management (00REG), Department of Veterans 
Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Room 1063B, Washington, DC 20420; or by 
fax to (202) 273-9026. Comments should indicate that they are submitted 
in response to ``Notice of Request for Information Regarding Health 
Care Standards for Quality.'' Copies of comments received will be 
available for public inspection in the Office of Regulation Policy and 
Management (00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue 
NW, Room 1063B, Washington, DC 20420, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays). Please 
call (202) 461-4902 (this is not a toll-free number) for an 
appointment. During the comment period, comments may also be viewed 
online through the Federal Docket Management System at 
www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Rossio, Health System 
Specialist, Office of Strategic Integration [bond] Veterans Engineering 
Resource Center (OSI[bond]VERC), Veterans Health Administration, 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20420, (858) 245-9493. This is not a toll-free number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The John S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka, and 
Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening 
Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018, Public Law 115-182, (the VA 
MISSION Act) created a new 1703C in title 38, United States Code 
(U.S.C.), that contains requirements for VA to facilitate the 
establishment and use of standards for quality. In establishing 
standards for quality, VA is required to consider existing health 
quality measures that are applied to public and privately sponsored 
health care systems with the purpose of providing covered Veterans 
relevant comparative information to make informed decisions regarding 
their health care. VA requests information from the public regarding 
the development of these standards for quality, including but not 
limited to information on the use of standards for quality and the use 
and availability of comparative information to assist consumers in 
making informed decisions regarding their health care. Responses to 
this notice will support industry research and VA's development of 
standards for quality regarding care furnished by the

[[Page 42984]]

Department, including through non-Department health care providers.
    Section 1703C(a)(4) specifically requires VA to consult with all 
pertinent Federal entities (including the Department of Defense, the 
Department of Health and Human Services, and the Centers for Medicare & 
Medicaid Services), entities in the private sector, and other non-
governmental entities in establishing standards for quality. We note 
that VA will also hold a public meeting on Monday, September 24, 2018, 
to provide these groups and entities an opportunity to provide 
additional information. The meeting notice is published elsewhere in 
this issue of the Federal Register and can also be found in 
www.regulations.gov under the title ``Announcement for Public Meeting 
Regarding Health Care Standards for Quality''. VA will use the comments 
it receives to help determine the health care standards for quality in 
compliance with the VA MISSION Act. VA will then submit a report, no 
later than March 3, 2019, as required by section 1703C(a)(5)(A), 
detailing the standards for quality to the appropriate committees of 
Congress.
    In order to submit a report to Congress detailing the standards for 
quality by March 3, 2019, VA must expedite this consultation, which 
will be foundational to the process of determining the health care 
standards for quality. Hence, this notice and request for information 
has a comment period of 30 days. VA believes that 30 days is sufficient 
to provide comments, as the groups and entities with expertise in 
standards for quality will likely have the information readily 
available or can quickly compile and submit such information.
    This notice is a request for information only. Commenters are 
encouraged to provide complete but concise responses to the questions 
outlined below. VA may choose to contact individual commenters, and 
such communications would serve to further clarify their written 
comments.

Request for Information

    VA requests information that will assist in developing the 
standards for quality required by the VA MISSION Act. This includes 
datasets that include, at a minimum, elements relating to timely care, 
effective care, safety (including, at a minimum, complications, 
readmissions, and deaths), and efficiency.
    Specifically, VA requests information related to the following:
    1. What standards for quality do public or private providers or 
health systems currently use? How do public or private providers or 
health systems measure performance against these standards for quality 
(i.e., what data sets and measures are employed)? How are those 
standards and measures used to make decisions regarding patient 
referrals to specific public or private providers?
    2. How does the health system communicate standards for quality to 
their stakeholders?
    3. How are data on quality standards obtained or collected from 
public or private providers and health systems?
    4. Does the public or private provider or health system publicly 
report performance on those quality standards, including comparisons of 
quality measures, and in what manner?
    5. How does the public or private provider or health system respond 
to findings when quality standards are not being met?

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Robert L. 
Wilkie, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this 
document on August 21, 2018, for publication.

    Dated: August 21, 2018.
Michael Shores,
Director, Regulation Policy & Management, Office of the Secretary, 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2018-18440 Filed 8-23-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 165 / Friday, August 24, 2018 / Notices 42983

oral comments, testimonies, and/or or private providers or health systems ADDRESSES: Written comments may be
technical remarks during the meeting measure performance against these submitted through http://
may be subject to the number of in- standards for quality (i.e., what data sets www.regulations.gov; by mail or hand
person attendees, and to ensure ample and measures are employed)? How are delivery to the Director, Office of
time is allotted to those registered those standards and measures used to Regulation Policy and Management
attendees. There will be no opportunity make decisions regarding patient (00REG), Department of Veterans
for audio-visual presentations during referrals to specific public or private Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW,
the meeting. Written comments will be providers? Room 1063B, Washington, DC 20420; or
accepted from those attending in-person 2. How does the health system by fax to (202) 273–9026. Comments
(see above instructions for submitting communicate standards for quality to should indicate that they are submitted
written comments). their stakeholders? in response to ‘‘Notice of Request for
Audio (for listening purposes only): 3. How are data on quality standards Information Regarding Health Care
Limited to the first 200 participants, on obtained or collected from public or Standards for Quality.’’ Copies of
a first-come, first-served basis. private providers and health systems? comments received will be available for
Advanced registration is not required. 4. Does the public or private provider public inspection in the Office of
Audio attendees will not be allowed to or health system publicly report Regulation Policy and Management
offer oral comments, testimonies, and/or performance on those quality standards, (00REG), Department of Veterans
technical remarks as the phone line will including comparisons of quality Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW,
be muted. Written comments will be measures, and in what manner? Room 1063B, Washington, DC 20420,
accepted from those participating via 5. How does the public or private between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30
audio (see above instructions for provider or health system respond to p.m., Monday through Friday (except
submitting written comments). findings when quality standards are not Federal holidays). Please call (202) 461–
Note: VA will conduct the public being met? 4902 (this is not a toll-free number) for
meeting informally, and technical rules an appointment. During the comment
Signing Authority
of evidence will not apply. VA will period, comments may also be viewed
arrange for a written transcript of the The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or online through the Federal Docket
meeting and keep the official record designee, approved this document and Management System at
open for 15 days after the meeting to authorized the undersigned to sign and www.regulations.gov.
allow submission of supplemental submit the document to the Office of the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
information. You may make Federal Register for publication
Chris Rossio, Health System Specialist,
electronically as an official document of
arrangements for copies of the transcript Office of Strategic Integration | Veterans
directly with the reporter, and the the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Engineering Resource Center
transcript will also be posted in the Robert L. Wilkie, Secretary, Department
(OSI|VERC), Veterans Health
docket of the rule as part of the official of Veterans Affairs, approved this
Administration, Department of Veterans
record when the rule is published. document on August 21, 2018, for
Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW,
Should it be necessary to cancel the publication.
Washington, DC 20420, (858) 245–9493.
meeting due to inclement weather or Dated: August 21, 2018. This is not a toll-free number.
other emergencies, VA will take Michael Shores, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The John
available measures to notify registered Director, Regulation Policy & Management, S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka, and
participants. Office of the Secretary, Department of Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining
Veterans Affairs. Internal Systems and Strengthening
Agenda
[FR Doc. 2018–18439 Filed 8–23–18; 8:45 am] Integrated Outside Networks Act of
09:00–10:00 Arrival/Check-In BILLING CODE 8320–01–P 2018, Public Law 115–182, (the VA
10:00–12:00 Morning Public Meeting
MISSION Act) created a new 1703C in
Session
12:00–13:00 Lunch Break (Note: Meals title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.),
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS that contains requirements for VA to
will not be provided by VA.) AFFAIRS
13:00–16:00 Afternoon Public Meeting facilitate the establishment and use of
Session standards for quality. In establishing
Notice of Request for Information
16:00 Adjourn standards for quality, VA is required to
Regarding Health Care Standards for
consider existing health quality
Public Meeting Topics Quality
measures that are applied to public and
Pursuant to section 1703C(a)(3)–(4) of AGENCY: Office of Reporting, Analytics, privately sponsored health care systems
title 38, U.S.C., as added by section Performance, Improvement, and with the purpose of providing covered
104(a) of Public Law 115–182, (the VA Deployment (RAPID), Veterans Health Veterans relevant comparative
MISSION Act), VA requests information Administration, Department of Veterans information to make informed decisions
that will assist in developing the Affairs. regarding their health care. VA requests
standards for quality required by the VA ACTION: Notice; request for information. information from the public regarding
MISSION Act. This includes datasets the development of these standards for
that include, at a minimum, elements SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans quality, including but not limited to
relating to timely care, effective care, Affairs (VA) is requesting information to information on the use of standards for
safety (including, at a minimum, assist in establishing health care quality and the use and availability of
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES

complications, readmissions, and standards for quality regarding hospital comparative information to assist
deaths), and efficiency. care, medical services, and extended consumers in making informed
Specifically, VA requests information care services furnished by the decisions regarding their health care.
related to the below: Department, including through non- Responses to this notice will support
1. What standards for quality do Department health care providers. industry research and VA’s
public or private providers or health DATES: Comments must be received by development of standards for quality
systems currently use? How do public VA on or before September 24, 2018. regarding care furnished by the

VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Aug 23, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00125 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM 24AUN1

$42984 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 165 / Friday, August 24, 2018 / Notices Department, including through non- request for information has a comment referrals to specific public or private Department health care providers. period of 30 days. VA believes that 30 providers? Section 1703C(a)(4) specifically days is sufficient to provide comments, 2. How does the health system requires VA to consult with all pertinent as the groups and entities with expertise communicate standards for quality to Federal entities (including the in standards for quality will likely have their stakeholders? Department of Defense, the Department the information readily available or can 3. How are data on quality standards of Health and Human Services, and the quickly compile and submit such obtained or collected from public or Centers for Medicare & Medicaid information. private providers and health systems? Services), entities in the private sector, This notice is a request for 4. Does the public or private provider and other non-governmental entities in information only. Commenters are or health system publicly report establishing standards for quality. We encouraged to provide complete but performance on those quality standards, note that VA will also hold a public concise responses to the questions including comparisons of quality meeting on Monday, September 24, outlined below. VA may choose to measures, and in what manner? 2018, to provide these groups and contact individual commenters, and 5. How does the public or private entities an opportunity to provide such communications would serve to provider or health system respond to additional information. The meeting further clarify their written comments. findings when quality standards are not notice is published elsewhere in this Request for Information being met? issue of the Federal Register and can VA requests information that will Signing Authority also be found in www.regulations.gov assist in developing the standards for under the title ‘‘Announcement for The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or quality required by the VA MISSION designee, approved this document and Public Meeting Regarding Health Care Act. This includes datasets that include, Standards for Quality’’. VA will use the authorized the undersigned to sign and at a minimum, elements relating to submit the document to the Office of the comments it receives to help determine timely care, effective care, safety the health care standards for quality in Federal Register for publication (including, at a minimum, electronically as an official document of compliance with the VA MISSION Act. complications, readmissions, and VA will then submit a report, no later the Department of Veterans Affairs. deaths), and efficiency. Robert L. Wilkie, Secretary, Department than March 3, 2019, as required by Specifically, VA requests information section 1703C(a)(5)(A), detailing the of Veterans Affairs, approved this related to the following: document on August 21, 2018, for standards for quality to the appropriate 1. What standards for quality do committees of Congress. publication. public or private providers or health In order to submit a report to Congress systems currently use? How do public Dated: August 21, 2018. detailing the standards for quality by or private providers or health systems Michael Shores, March 3, 2019, VA must expedite this measure performance against these Director, Regulation Policy & Management, consultation, which will be standards for quality (i.e., what data sets Office of the Secretary, Department of foundational to the process of and measures are employed)? How are Veterans Affairs. determining the health care standards those standards and measures used to [FR Doc. 2018–18440 Filed 8–23–18; 8:45 am] for quality. Hence, this notice and make decisions regarding patient BILLING CODE 8320–01–P daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Aug 23, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00126 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM 24AUN1$

Document Created: 2018-08-24 04:14:37
Document Modified: 2018-08-24 04:14:37

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice; request for information.
Dates		Comments must be received by VA on or before September 24, 2018.
Contact		Chris Rossio, Health System Specialist, Office of Strategic Integration [bond] Veterans Engineering Resource Center (OSI[bond]VERC), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420, (858) 245-9493. This is not a toll-free number.
FR Citation		83 FR 42983