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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

NOTICE: NOTICES

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 19, 2007.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) allow the renewal of the generic information collection project: ``Voluntary Customer Surveys Generic Clearance for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.'' In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 10413 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection.

This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on August 3, 2007 and allowed 60 days for public comment. No comments were received. A 30day Federal Register notice was published on October 11th, 2007 to allow an additional 30 days for public comment. No comments were received. However, changes to the estimated annual respondent burden hours and the methodologies that will be used for the data collection require an additional 30 days for public comment.

SUMMARY: Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,

DOCUMENT BODY: [[Page 65032]]

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Proposed Project
``Voluntary Customer Surveys Generic Clearance for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.''

In response to Executive Order 12862, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) plans to conduct voluntary customer surveys to assess strengths and weaknesses in agency program services. Customer surveys to be conducted by AHRQ may include readership surveys from individuals using AHRQ automated and electronic technology databases to determine satisfaction with the information provided or surveys to assess effect of the grants streamlining efforts. Results of these surveys will be used in future program planning initiatives and to redirect resources and efforts, as needed, to improve AHRQ program services. The current clearance will expire January 31, 2008. This is a request for a generic approval from OMB to conduct customer surveys over the next three years.

Methods of Collection

The data will be collected using a combination of methodologies appropriate to each survey. These methodologies include:

Mail/email surveys;

Telephone surveys;

Webbased surveys;

Focus groups;

Inperson surveys.
Estimated Annual Respondent Burden Number of Type of information collection Number of responses per Hours per Total burden respondents respondent response hours Mail/email *........................... 51,000 1 15/60 12,750 Telephone............................... 200 1 40/60 134 Webbased............................... 52,000 1 10/60 8,667 Focus Groups............................ 200 1 2.0 400 Inperson............................... 200 1 50/60 167

Total............................... 103,600 na na 22,118 * May include telephone nonresponse followup in which case the burden will not change.

This information collection will not impose a cost burden on the respondents beyond that associated with their time to provide the required data. There will be no additional costs for capital equipment, software, computer services, etc.

Estimated Annual Costs to the Federal Government

The mail and telephone surveys and focus groups will in some cases be carried out under contract. Assuming the contract cost per survey is $50,000$100,000, and for each focus group is $20,000, total contract costs could be $720,000 per year.

Request for Comments

In accordance with the abovecited Paperwork Reduction Act legislation, 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 health care research and health care information dissemination functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (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.

Dated: November 8, 2007.
Carolyn M. Clancy,
Director.
[FR Doc. 075734 Filed 111607; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 416090M

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ, Reports Clearance Officer, (301) 4271477.