Supporting Statement A.
Request for Revision:
Customer Surveys Generic Clearance
for the
National Center for Health Statistics
OMB No. 0920-0729
(expires April 30, 2014)
Contact Information
Verita Custis Buie, Dr.P.H.
Office of Planning, Budget, and Legislation
National Center for Health Statistics
3311 Toledo Road, Room 7111
Hyattsville, MD 20782
301-458-4582
May 13, 2014
Customer Surveys Generic Clearance for the National Center for Health Statistics
This is a request for a revision of the Customer Surveys Generic Clearance for the National Center for Health Statistics (OMB No. 0920-0729, expires 04/30/2014). A three-year clearance is requested.
In anticipation of increased attendance during the 2012 and 2014 National Health Statistics Conferences along with an anticipated increase in the number of NCHS website users over time, an increase in burden hours to capture the feedback surveys related to these activities has been requested. The total burden for the Customer Surveys Generic Clearance will now equal 2,040 hours compared to the 1,640 hours captured in the most recently approved package.
A. Justification
1. Circumstances Making the Collection of Information Necessary
As part of a comprehensive program, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, surveys its customers’ satisfaction with the quality and relevance of the information it produces. NCHS conducts voluntary customer surveys to assess strengths in agency products and services. Results of these surveys will be used in future planning initiatives. NCHS requests a three-year approval from the OMB to revise the generic clearance package for future customer surveys it plans to conduct. NCHS is authorized to collect data under Section 306 of the Public Health Service Act (42 USC 242k) (Attachment A).
Background
NCHS, the Nation’s principal health statistics agency, compiles statistical information to guide actions and policies to improve the health of the U.S. population. The national surveys and data systems administered by NCHS are a unique public resource for health information–-a critical element of public health and health policy. Assessment of key data users’ and policy-makers’ satisfaction with the quality and relevance of NCHS’ products and services is of prime importance in evaluating our agency’s performance. Voluntary customer surveys to ascertain strengths in agency products and services are useful tools for management in program planning.
Data will be collected using a combination of methodologies appropriate to each survey. These may include: evaluation forms; mail surveys; focus groups; automated and electronic technology (e.g. e-mail, Web-based surveys); and telephone surveys.
NCHS will submit to OMB individual survey requests under this generic clearance. OMB will provide feedback on the individual requests within ten working days.
NCHS, as the Nation’s principal health statistics agency, compiles statistical information to guide actions and policies to improve the health of the nation. This is a unique public resource for health information – a critical element of public health and health policy. These data allow NCHS to document the health status of the population and of important subgroups, identify disparities in health status and use of health care by race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, region, and other population characteristics, monitor trends in health status and health care delivery, identify health problems, support biomedical and health services research, provide information for making changes in public policies and programs, and evaluate the impact of health policies and programs. NCHS collects data from birth and death records, medical records, interview surveys, and through direct physical exams and laboratory testing.
Information is at the core of the NCHS mission. It is critical that information be available to provide customers with quick and easy access to a wide range of information and data through a variety of channels. Customer satisfaction and customer input are critical for accomplishment of our mission as a key element of the national public health infrastructure, providing important surveillance information that helps identify and address critical health problems. Satisfaction can be enhanced through suggestions for ways to improve our outputs and services, whether presentation of data on the Web, publications, statistical services, or other products at NCHS.
Surveys of several groups are anticipated. Among these are Federal clients and policy makers; state and local officials who rely on NCHS data; the broader educational, research, and public health community; and other data users. Other users may include self-selected broad-based groups of data users who register for and attend NCHS sponsored conferences as well as persons who access the NCHS Web site.
Privacy Impact Assessment
The project-specific information required for the Privacy Impact Assessment will be presented with each specific project submission request.
2. Purpose and Use of the Information
NCHS places the highest priority on providing quality products and services to our customers. We will use the results of all of our customer surveys to identify strengths and weaknesses in those current products and services and to refine and improve them by implementing modifications that are practical and feasible. Information obtained in these surveys will guide NCHS management in program planning.
NCHS utilized the past customer survey generic clearance to conduct a number of activities to assess progress toward meeting its Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) objective to "measure satisfaction of key data users and policymakers." Surveys were conducted among 1) "reimbursable collaborators"-- agencies, mostly governmental, which funded components of NCHS surveys; 2) Conference attendees--through both focus groups during the conferences and an email surveys of attendees following the meetings; 3) Federal "power users" of NCHS data--agencies that use NCHS data for analysis, policy, and other purposes. This included policy people in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as well as representatives of Congressional support agencies including the Congressional Budget Office and the General Accountability Office; and 4) users of the NCHS web site--both through "usability testing" at the NCHS Conferences and through internet-based surveys of users of the NCHS website. (Future efforts are expected to also include non-federal agencies and organizations.) These surveys yielded valuable information about current satisfaction with NCHS products and services, as well as suggestions for future improvements. Survey results were reported to the Department and to the Office of Management and Budget in compilation with PART procedures. As a result of these customer survey activities, NCHS was able to obtain "actionable" information to improve products and services, and NCHS was able to effectively meet its PART objective to measure customer satisfaction.
Privacy Impact Assessment
The project-specific information required for the Privacy Impact Assessment will be presented with each individual project submission request.
3. Use of Information Technology and Burden Reduction
The surveys will employ the newest information technology to collect and analyze data. They will be conducted electronically when feasible. In those cases, respondents will submit their responses electronically; and these responses will be tallied electronically and put into a database by survey software. Electronic collection will minimize the burden on survey respondents and facilitate the most rapid processing of survey results. This, in turn, provides NCHS the quickest means for making improvements based on customer feedback. In some instances, however, the most appropriate methodology will involve written or oral responses to brief questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups.
4. Efforts to Identify Duplication and Use of Similar Information
There are no current broad-based data available on customer satisfaction with NCHS products and services.
5. Impact on Small Businesses or Other Small Entities
In as much as a few small businesses may be included in the audience for some surveys, they should not be not adversely affected by the customer surveys. The number of questions will be held to the absolute minimum for the intended use of the data. Form design and the electronic data collection methodology will further minimize respondent burden.
6. Consequences of Collecting the Information Less Frequently
These surveys are appropriate vehicles to examine public perception of NCHS' ability to respond in a timely manner to the needs of its customers. Collection of information routinely and systematically enhances its utility in monitoring customer satisfaction and in identifying problems and needs so as to make changes and improve products and services. The planned surveys are expected to be one-time surveys or surveys updated at selected intervals. There are no legal obstacles to reduce the burden.
7. Specific Circumstances Relating to the Guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.5
This request fully complies with the regulation 5 CFR 1320.5.
8. Comments in Response to the Federal Register Notice and Efforts to Consult Outside Agency
Federal Register Notice
The 60-day notice was published in the Federal Register, Vol. 78, No. 227, November 25, 2013, page 70302 (Attachment B). Only one public comment was received. A standard response was provided.
Consultation
Consultations related to specific projects will be provided in those respective request submissions.
9. Explanation of Any Payment or Gift to Respondents
This collection of information does not involve any payment or gift to respondents.
10. Assurance of Confidentiality Provided to Respondents
An assurance of confidentiality is provided to all respondents according to section 308 (d) of the Public Health Service Act (42 USC 242m) which states:
"No information, if an establishment or person supplying the information or described in it is identifiable, obtained in the course of activities undertaken or supported under section...306,...may be used for any purpose other than the purpose for which it was supplied unless such establishment or person has consented (as determined under regulations of the Secretary) to its use for such other purpose and (1) in the case of information obtained in the course of health statistical or epidemiological activities under section...306, such information may not be published or released in other form if the particular establishment or person supplying the information or described in it is identifiable unless such establishment or person has consented (as determined under regulations of the Secretary) to its publication or release in other form,..."
In addition, legislation covering confidentiality is provided according to section 513 of the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (PL 107-347) which states:
“Whoever, being an officer, employee, or agent of an agency acquiring information for exclusively statistical purposes, having taken and subscribed the oath of office, or having sworn to observe the limitations imposed by section 512, comes into possession of such information by reason of his or her being an officer, employee, or agent and, knowing that the disclosure of the specific information is prohibited under the provisions of this title, willfully discloses the information in any manner to a person or agency not entitled to receive it, shall be guilty of a class E felony and imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or fined not more than $250,000, or both.”
Privacy Impact Assessment
The data are covered under Privacy Act System of Records 09-20-0169, Users of Health Statistics. The NCHS Human Subjects Contact has determined that customer satisfaction surveys do not require their review and approval (Attachment C).
The project-specific information required for the Privacy Impact Assessment will be presented with each subsequent project submission request.
11. Justification for Sensitive Questions
No sensitive questions are anticipated; however, any collection of a sensitive nature will be described in that collection submission.
12. Estimates of Annualized Burden Hours and Costs
Table 1 presents the estimate of number of respondents and burden hours for surveys over the three-year period. In anticipation of increased attendance during the 2012 and 2014 National Health Statistics Conferences, the number of respondents /attendees completing questionnaires has been increased from 3,000 to 4,500 for a total of 750 burden hours. Likewise, the number of NCHS website users has been increased from 3,600 to 4,500 for a total of 750 burden hours. No other changes to the burden captured by the focus groups, web-based surveys or other customer surveys are anticipated. The total burden for the Customer Surveys Generic Clearance will now equal 2,040 hours compared to the 1,640 hours captured in the most recently approved package. Specific information will be provided with the project submission.
Table 1. Estimates of Annualized Burden Hours for NCHS Customer Surveys
Type of survey
|
Number of Respondents |
Number of responses/ respondent |
Average Burden/ response (in hours) |
Response Burden (in hours)
|
Questionnaire for conference registrants/attendees |
4,500 |
1 |
10/60 |
750 |
Focus groups |
240 |
1 |
1 |
240 |
Web-based |
4,500 |
1 |
10/60 |
750 |
Other customer surveys |
1,200 |
1 |
15/60 |
300 |
Total |
10,440 |
......... |
........ |
2,040 |
There is no cost to respondents other than their time to participate.
13. Estimates of Other Total Annual Cost Burden to Respondents or Record Keepers
There are no additional costs to the respondents.
14. Annualized Cost to the Federal Government
While actual annualized costs will vary dependent on the scope of future survey submissions, it is anticipated that the costs related to staff salaries for planning and implementing the future surveys might average $100,000.
15. Explanation for Program Changes or Adjustments
In anticipation of increased attendance during the 2012 and 2014 National Health Statistics Conferences along with an anticipated increase in the number of NCHS website users, an increase of 400 burden hours to capture the feedback surveys related to these activities has been requested. The total burden for the Customer Surveys Generic Clearance will now equal 2,040 hours compared to the 1,640 hours captured in the most recently approved package.
16. Plans for Tabulation and Publication and Project Time Schedule
Data collected will be analyzed to inform NCHS planning activities. This information is for internal use only. Summary data may be provided to OMB and DHHS; however no publications are planned.
17. Reason(s) Display of OMB Expiration Date is Inappropriate
Display of OMB expiration date is appropriate.
18. Exceptions to Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions
There are no exceptions to the certification.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| File Title | Supporting Statement for Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) |
| Author | gdp1 |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-01-27 |