[Federal Register: December 8, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 235)]
[Notices]               
[Page 68689-68690]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08de99-71]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control And Prevention
[60-Day-00-12]

 
Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention is providing opportunity for public comment on proposed data 
collection projects. To request more information on the proposed 
projects or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and 
instruments, call the CDC Reports Clearance Officer on (404) 639-7090.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection 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 on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques for other 
forms of information

[[Page 68690]]

technology. Send comments to Seleda Perryman, CDC Assistant Reports 
Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D24, Atlanta, GA 30333. 
Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

1. Proposed Projects

    Survey of Laboratory Practices for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Drug 
Susceptibility Testing in the U.S.--New--As part of the continuing 
effort to support public health objectives of treatment, disease 
prevention and surveillance programs, the Public Health Practice 
Program Office (PHPPO), Division of Laboratory Systems seeks to collect 
information from both public health and private sector laboratories 
performing drug susceptibility testing on Mycobacterium tuberculosis. 
Tuberculosis is a continuing public health problem in the United States 
despite declining case rates. Although public health efforts have 
brought multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) under control, these 
MDRTB and other drug resistant isolates will continue to challenge 
laboratory support for TB control because of higher prevalence rates 
and potential for transmission in some segments of the U.S. population. 
To control this health problem, it is imperative that cases of 
tuberculosis are identified and placed on effective chemotherapy as 
quickly as possible. Information collected in the survey will be on 
test methods, drug concentrations, quality assurance, quality control 
and reporting practices. The survey will also collect information 
regarding the type of laboratories where testing is performed, the 
number of tests performed, testing for primary or secondary anti-
tuberculosis drugs and turnaround time for reporting susceptibility 
test results to the clinician and public health programs. This survey 
will provide CDC with information to facilitate standard use of drugs 
and concentrations tested, interpretation of test results, and 
laboratory reports so that the information for the clinician is 
consistent regardless of the laboratory performing testing. This 25-
question survey will be mailed to 200 laboratories which are directly 
involved in Mycobacterium tuberculosis susceptibility drug testing. The 
amount of time required for completion of the survey will be 30-45 
minutes for each respondent. The only cost to the respondent is the 
time involved in completion of the survey. Results of the survey will 
be published in a peer-reviewed journal and shared at national meetings 
to encourage the adoption of standard practices. There is no cost to 
the respondent.

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                                                                    No. of
                      No. of respondents                        responses per     Hrs/response       Response
                                                                  respondent                          burden
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200..........................................................               1            30/60              100
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    Dated: December 1, 1999.
Nancy Cheal,
Acting Associate Director for Policy Planning and Evaluation, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 99-31741 Filed 12-7-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P