[Federal Register: March 24, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 56)]
[Notices]
[Page 14243-14244]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24mr03-70]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[60Day-03-51]
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 for opportunity for public comment on
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed 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) 498-1210.
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 or other
forms of information technology. Send comments to Anne O'Connor, CDC
Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D24,
Atlanta, GA 30333. Written comments should be received within 60 days
of this notice.
Proposed Project: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
Performance Evaluation Program for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and Non-
Tuberculosis Mycobacterium (NTM) Drug Susceptibility Testing--New--
Public Health Practice Program Office (PHPPO), Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC).
As part of the continuing effort to support both domestic and
global public health objectives for treatment of tuberculosis (TB),
prevention of multi-drug resistance and surveillance programs, the
Division of Laboratory Systems seeks to collect information from
domestic private clinical and public health laboratories twice per
year. Participation and information collections from international
laboratories will be limited to those
[[Page 14244]]
which have public health responsibilities for tuberculosis drug
susceptibility testing and approval by their national tuberculosis
program. While the overall number of cases of TB in the U.S. has
decreased, rates still remain high among foreign-born persons,
prisoners, homeless populations, and individuals infected with HIV in
major metropolitan areas. The rate of TB cases detected in foreign-born
persons has been reported to be almost nine times higher than the rate
among the U.S. born population. CDC's goal to eliminate TB will be
virtually impossible without considerable effort in assisting heavy
disease burden countries in the reduction of tuberculosis. The M.
tuberculosis/NTM program supports this role by monitoring the level of
performance and practices among laboratories performing M. tuberculosis
susceptibility within the U.S. as well as internationally to ensure
high-quality laboratory testing, resulting in accurate and reliable
results.
Information collected in this program will include the
susceptibility test results of primary and secondary drugs,
concentrations, and test methods performed by laboratories on a set of
challenge isolates sent twice yearly.
A portion of the response instrument will collect demographic data
such as laboratory type and the number of tests performed annually. By
providing an evaluation program to assess the ability of the
laboratories to test for drug resistant M. tuberculosis and selected
strains of NTM, laboratories will also have a self-assessment tool to
aid in maximizing their skills in susceptibility testing. Information
obtained from laboratories on susceptibility testing practices and
procedures will assist with determining variables related to good
performance, with assessing areas for training and with developing
practice standards. There is no cost to respondents.
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Number of Average Burden
Respondents Number of responses per per response Total burden
respondents respondenst (in hours) (in hours)
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XXXX............................................ 165 30 30/60 82.5
YYYY............................................ 165 30 30/60 82.5
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Dated: March 12, 2003.
Thomas Bartenfeld,
Acting Associate Director for Policy, Planning and Evaluation, Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-6872 Filed 3-21-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P