The HCAHPS Survey is a standardized
survey instrument and data collection methodology that has been in
use since 2006 to measure patients' perspectives of hospital care.
While many hospitals collect information on patient satisfaction,
HCAHPS created a national standard for collecting and public
reporting information that enables valid comparisons to be made
across all hospitals to support consumer choice. Hospital-level
scores derived from national implementation of HCAHPS are publicly
reported quality data on CMS' Hospital Compare website. CMS' HCAHPS
initiative allows vendors to select one mode of survey
administration from four approved administration protocols (mail
only, telephone only, mail-telephone mixed mode, and touch-tone IVR
only). Before public reporting, HCAHPS scores are adjusted for the
selected mode of administration, using mail administration as the
comparison mode, to correct for any inflation or deflation of
scores that are a result of mode. The current mode adjustments
employed for HCAHPS are the product of two separate mode
experiments conducted using different versions of the survey and
different sample. The purpose of the planned HCAHPS mode experiment
is to conduct a mode experiment of sufficient sample and scale to
determine if the mode adjustments currently employed for the
32-item HCAHPS core survey need revision. An additional goal is to
collect empirical evidence on the effect of the number of
additional supplemental items on survey response rate and patterns
of response to the HCAHPS core demographic items (known as "About
You" items).
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.