94-11532. Public Meeting on the Update of Clinical Practice Guideline on Cataract in Adults: Management of Functional Impairment

[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 91 (Thursday, May 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11532]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 12, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research

 

Public Meeting on the Update of Clinical Practice Guideline on 
Cataract in Adults: Management of Functional Impairment

    The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) announces a 
public meeting to receive comments and information pertaining to the 
update of the clinical practice guideline Cataract in Adults: 
Management of Functional Impairment (AHCPR Publication No. 93-0542). 
The AHCPR-supported guideline was developed by a private sector panel 
of health care experts and consumers, and released in February, 1993.
    On August 9, 1993, AHCPR announced that it was inviting the 
nominations of qualified individuals to serve on a panel as the co-
chairpersons and as panel members to update a clinical practice 
guideline on Cataract in Adults: Management of Functional Impairment. 
The update panel's tasks will be to assess new research in selected 
areas previously reviewed, review current literature on new treatments, 
and assess new research published on the management of functional 
impairment due to cataract in adults.
    A public meeting to address the update and timing of the update of 
the guideline, Cataract in Adults: Management of Functional Impairment, 
and to provide an opportunity for interested parties to contribute 
relevant information and comments, including research in areas relevant 
to the guideline that was not available at the time the guideline was 
written, will be held as follows:
    Meeting: Update of Cataract in Adults: Management of Functional 
Impairment.
    Date: June 16, 1994.
    From: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Conference Room G, The Parklawn Building, 
5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
    Phone: [phone].

Background

    The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 (Pub. L. 101-239) 
added a new title IX to the Public Health Service Act (the Act), which 
established the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) to 
enhance the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of health care 
services, and access to such services. (See 42 U.S.C. 299-299c-6 and 
1320b-12.) The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research 
Reauthorization Act of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-410), enacted on October 13, 
1992, extended the authorization of AHCPR and amended certain 
provisions related to the development of clinical practice guidelines.
    In keeping with its legislative mandate, AHCPR is arranging for the 
development, periodic review, and update of clinically relevant 
guidelines that may be used by physicians, nurses, other health care 
providers, educators, and consumers to assist in determining how 
diseases, disorders, and other health care conditions can most 
effectively and appropriately be prevented, diagnosed, treated, and 
clinically managed. Based on the guidelines produced, AHCPR oversees 
development, periodic review, and update of medical review criteria, 
standards of quality, and performance measures.
    Section 912 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 299b-1(b)), as amended by Public 
Law 102-410, requires that the guidelines:
    1. Be based on the best available research and professional 
judgment;
    2. Be presented in formats appropriate for use by physicians, 
nurses, other health care providers, medical educators, medical review 
organizations, and consumers;
    3. Be presented in treatment-specific or condition-specific forms 
appropriate for use in clinical practice, educational programs, and 
reviewing quality and appropriateness of medical care;
    4. Include information on the risks and benefits of alternative 
strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of the 
particular health condition(s); and
    5. Include information on the costs of alternative strategies for 
prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of the particular 
health condition(s), where cost information is available and reliable.
    Section 914 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 299b-3(a)), as amended by Public 
Law 102-410, identifies factors to be considered in establishing 
priorities for guidelines, including the extent to which the guidelines 
would:

1. Improve methods for disease prevention;
2. Improve methods of diagnosis, treatment, and clinical management, 
and thereby benefit a significant number of individuals;
3. Reduce clinically significant variations among clinicians in the 
particular services and procedures utilized in making diagnoses and 
providing treatments; and
4. Reduce clinically significant variations in the outcomes of health 
care services and procedures.

    Also, in accordance with title IX of the PHS Act and section 1142 
of the Social Security Act, the Administrator is to assure that the 
needs and priorities of the Medicare program are reflected 
appropriately in the agenda and priorities for development of 
guidelines.

Arrangements for the June 16, 1994 Public Meeting on Update of Cataract 
in Adults: Management of Functional Impairment

    Representatives of organizations and other individuals are invited 
to provide relevant written comments and information, and make a brief 
(5 minutes or less) oral statement. Individuals and representatives who 
would like to attend must register with Lynn McQueen, Program Officer, 
the Office of the Forum for Quality and Effectiveness in Health Care 
(Forum), at the address set out below by June 1, 1994, and indicate 
whether they plan to make an oral statement. A written copy of the oral 
statement should be submitted to the Forum by June 1, 1994. If more 
requests to make oral statements are received than can be accommodated 
between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on June 16, 1994, time will be allocated in 
a manner which ensures, to the extent possible, that a range of views 
of health care professionals, consumers, product manufacturers, and 
pharmaceutical manufacturers are presented. Those who cannot be granted 
their requested speaking time because of time constraints are assured 
that their written comments will be considered when making a decision 
regarding the update for this guideline.
    If sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation 
for a disability is needed, please contact the Forum by June 1, 1994, 
at the address below.
    Registration should be made with, and written materials submitted 
to: Ms. Lynn McQueen, Program Officer, Office of the Forum for Quality 
and Effectiveness in Health Care, Agency for Health Care Policy and 
Research, Willco Building, 6000 Executive Blvd, suite 310, Rockville, 
Maryland, 20852, Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone].

For Additional Information

    Additional information on the guideline development process is 
contained in the AHCPR Program Note, ``Clinical Practice Guideline 
Development,'' dated August 1993. This document describes AHCPR's 
activities with respect to clinical practice guidelines including the 
process and criteria for selecting panels. This document may be 
obtained from the AHCPR Publications Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 8547, 
Silver Spring, MD 20907; or call Toll-Free: 1-800-358-9295.
    Information may also be obtained by contacting Carole Hudgings, 
Ph.D., Acting Director, Office of the Forum for Quality and 
Effectiveness in Health Care, Agency for Health Care Policy and 
Research, Willco Building, 6000 Executive Blvd., Suite 310, Rockville, 
MD 20852, Phone [phone], Fax: [phone].

    Dated: May 5, 1994.
Linda K. Demlo,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 94-11532 Filed 5-11-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-90-P