The following standards express the specific commitments of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to provide the best service to our various constituencies through our health services research and dissemination programs.
For an overview of our Agency's mission, please select About AHRQ.
Publications Clearinghouse
AHRQ operates a Publications Clearinghouse to meet the ever-increasing demand for its publications, Publications Catalog, and general information about the Agency and its programs.
Phone Requests
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
- In the United States, call the toll-free number: 800-358-9295.
- Hearing impaired persons may call 888-586-6340 for the TDD service.
- Callers outside of the United States only should use the telephone number (703) 437-2078.
E-mail Requests
Electronic requests may be made to: AHRQPubs@ahrq.hhs.gov.
Mail Requests
Write to:
AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse
P.O. Box 8547
Silver Spring, MD 20907-8547
Response Time
Your request will be processed within 5 working days of receipt for materials in stock that do not require special attention. Those that do require special attention may necessitate an additional 5 working days to respond.
Phone Inquiries Standards
- Your telephone call will be answered promptly during core working hours, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.
- After hours, your call will be received by an automated system and will be processed within 5 working days.
- Inquiry specialists are available to interpret Spanish-speaking callers' requests.
The inquiry specialist who handles your telephone call will:
- Be courteous and helpful.
- Listen carefully to your request and provide you with the most up-to-date information available.
- Attempt to locate the source and notify you by telephone, mail, or fax if the information is not readily available.
- Attempt to refer you to the appropriate place if your call needs to be addressed by another agency, State office, or local program.
Dissemination Program
- Publications will be written in a clear and informative manner, using plain English for consumer materials. Go to: Consumers & Patients and Publications & Products for listings.
- Spanish translations of consumer materials will be provided. Go to: Información en español for an index of available materials.
- We will strive to make information available through additional channels, including electronic media, and intermediaries such as community organizations and libraries.
- We will evaluate and refine products, services, delivery mechanisms, and customer service based on feedback from users and input from potential users.
Current as of July 2006
Internet Citation:
Customer Service Standards. July 2006. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/news/standards.htm
540 Gaither Road Rockville, MD 20850