SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each ( printed page 25301) collection of information they conduct or sponsor. In addition, the PRA also requires federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each new proposed collection, each proposed extension of existing collection of information, and each reinstatement of previously approved information collection before submitting the collection to the OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, we are publishing this notice of a proposed data collection as described below.

The OMB is particularly interested in comments that will help:

1. 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;

2. Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

4. 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 submissions of responses; and

5. Assess information collection costs.

Proposed Project

National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Respiratory Data (OMB Control No. 0920-1317, Exp. 1/31/2028)—Revision—National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infection Diseases (NCEZID), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

The Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP), National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collects COVID-19 and respiratory virus data from healthcare facilities in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) under OMB Control No. 0920-1317. NHSN is the only national system that collects surveillance data on healthcare-associated infections, infection prevention process measures, healthcare personnel safety measures, such as blood and body fluid exposures and vaccination practices, and adverse events related to the transfusion of blood and blood products. NHSN existing platform allows facilities to share data immediately with local, state, and national partners for impact monitoring, decision-making, and surveillance activities. The NHSN COVID-19 modules are designed to standardize the data elements collected across the country regarding the impact of the COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses on healthcare facilities. In collecting standardized data, NHSN provides a vendor-neutral platform and a national lens into the burden hospitals are experiencing in a way that is designed to support the public health response. NHSN is a platform that exists in nearly all acute-care hospitals, nursing homes, and dialysis facilities in the U.S. and can provide a secure, sturdy infrastructure.

The NHSN data collection was previously approved in January 2025 for 3,557,181 responses and 1,731,823 annual burden hours. The proposed changes in this Revision include modifications to 10 existing data collection forms and a change in the title to more accurately reflect data that is collected. CDC requests OMB approval for an estimated annual 1,567,929 burden hours.

90 FR 25300