Nbcs

From: Perryman, Seleda (HHS/ASRT) [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 12:07 PM
To: Harris-Kojetin, Brian A.
Cc: Kraemer, John; Bettencourt, Alice (HHS/ASRT); Perryman, Seleda (HHS/ASRT); Zarate, Alvan O. (CDC/CCHIS/NCHS); Moien, Mary (CDC/CCHIS/NCHS); Henry, Richard A (HHS/OPHS)
Subject: FW: National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey

 

Brian,

 

After consultation with NCHS and the program we have developed the following revised statement:

 

Statement on Data Release

The completed questionnaires will be processed and data compiled for analysis and used for statistical purposes only. No institutional data provided in response to this survey will be reported that may allow a blood center or hospital to be identified. Results will only be released in aggregate form.  Public use data from this survey may be used by researchers throughout the blood community.  The public use data sets will be in a format that will adhere to HIPAA standards and will minimize the risk of identification of the responding institution.

 

 

In addition, NCHS concurs with the process that the programmed outlined in their earlier e-mail. 

 

Process to make certain only de-identified data will be released:

 The HHS contractors, AABB and Westat, Inc., will work with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) in a process to make certain only de-identified data will be released.

 

NCHS has prepared a Checklist on Disclosure Potential of Proposed Data Releases. This checklist consists of a series of questions that are designed to assist in determining the suitability of releasing data.

 

Although the checklist highlights data on person-based surveys, much of the information is still relevant in our situation.  NCHS will assist us in identifying other checklists that highlight establishment-based surveys and will assist us in our review of data before it is released to the public. 

 

Hopefully, our OMB obligations have been met and we can expect to receive clearance on this important data collection shortly.

 

Thanks in advance,

Seleda

 

Seleda M. Perryman

HHS Reports Clearance Officer

Office of the Chief Information Officer

Office of Resource Management

Department of Health and Human Services 

(202) 690-5521