The addition of
new modules will be considered an ICR revision.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2014
36 Months From Approved
08/31/2012
111,395
0
128,161
9,999
0
12,194
0
0
0
This request is for the revision of an
approved data collection (OMB No. 0920-0278), the National Hospital
Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS), to continue the survey
activities for NHAMCS for 3 years and slightly modify survey
activities. NHAMCS is a national survey of patient visits to
emergency departments, outpatient departments, and ambulatory
surgery locations of general and short-stay hospitals, as well as
freestanding ambulatory surgery centers. We propose to revise
NHAMCS for the purpose of converting data collection instruments
from paper to computer-based instruments, adding 167 hospitals to
the NHAMCS sample to make state-based estimates on emergency
department characteristics, expanding the data collection to
include a lookback module, conducting a colonoscopy supplement
pretest, and making slight modifications to survey
questions.
US Code:
42
USC 306 Name of Law: Public Health Service Act
Improved information technology
will significantly reduce the burden for NHAMCS respondents when
answering induction interview questions. Currently, completing the
form requires a Census field representative (FR) to follow the flow
of the form from front to back, navigating numerous skip patterns,
adding information from complicated lists, and administering flash
cards to the respondent. This process can be complicated and
lengthy and involve numerous opportunities to enter incorrect data.
Using a computer assisted interviewing instrument of the induction
interview will allow FRs to skip unneeded questions, quickly
populate write-in fields with drop-down menus, and eliminate the
need for paper flash-cards that highlight item choices. In the end,
we expect the time a respondent spends during the induction
interview to be significantly reduced. Approval to collect Patient
Record forms (PRFs) data through an automated instrument is also
requested. Use of a computerized data entry system for PRF data
will significantly simplify the data collection activities by
reducing data entry errors and omissions, as well as providing
on-screen look-up tables for items such as reason for visit,
diagnosis, and medications. Overall, using a computerized data
entry system should reduce FR and respondent burden, and ultimately
improve overall data quality. In addition, collecting the data
electronically will speed editing, transmission, and processing,
thereby making release of the yearly statistics more timely.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.