E7-19200. 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 project or to obtain a copy of data collection plans and instruments, call the CDC Reports Clearance Officer on 404-639-5960 or send comments to Maryam I. Daneshvar, CDC Acting Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS D-74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail to [e-mail].

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 the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

National Survey of Residential Care Facilities (NSRCF) 2008-2010—New—National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

Section 306 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 242k), as amended, authorizes that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (DHHS), acting through NCHS, shall collect statistics on the extent and nature of illness and disability of the population of the United States.

The National Survey of Residential Care Facilities (NSRCF) is a new collection. It is designed to complement data collected by other federal surveys and to fill a significant data gap about a major portion of the long-term care population. Data from the NSRCF will provide a database on residential care facilities that researchers and policymakers can use to address a wide array of research and policy questions. The survey will utilize a computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) system to collect information about facility and resident characteristics. This computerized system speeds the flow of data making it possible to release information on a more timely basis and makes it easier for respondents to participate in the survey.

A stratified random sample of residential care facilities across four strata (small, medium, large and extra large) will be selected to participate in the NSRCF. Within each facility a random sample of residents will be selected. To be eligible a facility must have four or more beds, be licensed, certified, or registered and provide or arrange for 24 hour supervision and personal care services for residents.

The facility questionnaire will collect data about facility characteristics (size, age, types of rooms), services offered, characteristics of the resident population, facility policies and services, costs of services, and background of the administrator. The Resident Questionnaire collects information on resident demographics, current living arrangements within the facility, involvement in activities, use of services, charges for care, health status, and cognitive and physical functioning.

In the pretest, 25 facility administrators, and 25 facility staff serving as respondents will be interviewed on an annualized basis. Residents themselves will not be interviewed. For the national survey, approximately 2,250 facilities will be surveyed for an annual average of 750. Information on 5 residents each will be collected from an annual average of 750 facility staff. Users of NSRCF data include, but are not limited to the CDC; the Congressional Research Office; the Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration; the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE); the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging; the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization; American Health Care Association, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Bureau of the Census; and AARP. Other users of these data include universities, contract research organizations, many in the private sector, foundations, and a variety of users in the print media. There is no cost to respondents other than their time to participate.

Estimated Annualized Burden Hours

Type of respondent	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden per response (in hours)	Total burden hours
Facility Administrator (pretest)	25	1	1	25
Facility Staff (pretest)	25	5	30/60	63
Facility Administrator	750	1	1	750
Facility Staff	750	5	30/60	1,875
Total				2,713

Dated: September 24, 2007.

Maryam I. Daneshvar,

Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Science Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.