Public Meeting on the Update of Clinical Practice Guideline on Cataract in Adults: Management of Functional Impairment

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Health Care Policy and Research

Public Meeting on the Update of Clinical Practice Guideline on

Cataract in Adults: Management of Functional Impairment

The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) announces a

public meeting to receive comments and information pertaining to the

update of the clinical practice guideline Cataract in Adults:

Management of Functional Impairment (AHCPR Publication No. 93-0542).

The AHCPR-supported guideline was developed by a private sector panel

of health care experts and consumers, and released in February, 1993.

On August 9, 1993, AHCPR announced that it was inviting the

nominations of qualified individuals to serve on a panel as the co-

chairpersons and as panel members to update a clinical practice

guideline on Cataract in Adults: Management of Functional Impairment.

The update panel's tasks will be to assess new research in selected

areas previously reviewed, review current literature on new treatments,

and assess new research published on the management of functional

impairment due to cataract in adults.

A public meeting to address the update and timing of the update of

the guideline, Cataract in Adults: Management of Functional Impairment,

and to provide an opportunity for interested parties to contribute

relevant information and comments, including research in areas relevant

to the guideline that was not available at the time the guideline was

written, will be held as follows:

Meeting: Update of Cataract in Adults: Management of Functional

Impairment.

Date: June 16, 1994.

From: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Conference Room G, The Parklawn Building,

5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852.

Phone: 301-443-2585.

Background

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 (Pub. L. 101-239)

added a new title IX to the Public Health Service Act (the Act), which

established the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) to

enhance the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of health care

services, and access to such services. (See 42 U.S.C. 299-299c-6 and

1320b-12.) The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research

Reauthorization Act of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-410), enacted on October 13,

1992, extended the authorization of AHCPR and amended certain

provisions related to the development of clinical practice guidelines.

In keeping with its legislative mandate, AHCPR is arranging for the

development, periodic review, and update of clinically relevant

guidelines that may be used by physicians, nurses, other health care

providers, educators, and consumers to assist in determining how

diseases, disorders, and other health care conditions can most

effectively and appropriately be prevented, diagnosed, treated, and

clinically managed. Based on the guidelines produced, AHCPR oversees

development, periodic review, and update of medical review criteria,

standards of quality, and performance measures.

Section 912 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 299b-1(b)), as amended by Public

Law 102-410, requires that the guidelines:

1. Be based on the best available research and professional

judgment;

2. Be presented in formats appropriate for use by physicians,

nurses, other health care providers, medical educators, medical review

organizations, and consumers;

3. Be presented in treatment-specific or condition-specific forms

appropriate for use in clinical practice, educational programs, and

reviewing quality and appropriateness of medical care;

4. Include information on the risks and benefits of alternative

strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of the

particular health condition(s); and

5. Include information on the costs of alternative strategies for

prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of the particular

health condition(s), where cost information is available and reliable.

Section 914 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 299b-3(a)), as amended by Public

Law 102-410, identifies factors to be considered in establishing

priorities for guidelines, including the extent to which the guidelines

would:

1. Improve methods for disease prevention;

2. Improve methods of diagnosis, treatment, and clinical management,

and thereby benefit a significant number of individuals;

3. Reduce clinically significant variations among clinicians in the

particular services and procedures utilized in making diagnoses and

providing treatments; and

4. Reduce clinically significant variations in the outcomes of health

care services and procedures.

Also, in accordance with title IX of the PHS Act and section 1142

of the Social Security Act, the Administrator is to assure that the

needs and priorities of the Medicare program are reflected

appropriately in the agenda and priorities for development of

guidelines.

Arrangements for the June 16, 1994 Public Meeting on Update of Cataract

in Adults: Management of Functional Impairment

Representatives of organizations and other individuals are invited

to provide relevant written comments and information, and make a brief

(5 minutes or less) oral statement. Individuals and representatives who

would like to attend must register with Lynn McQueen, Program Officer,

the Office of the Forum for Quality and Effectiveness in Health Care

(Forum), at the address set out below by June 1, 1994, and indicate

whether they plan to make an oral statement. A written copy of the oral

statement should be submitted to the Forum by June 1, 1994. If more

requests to make oral statements are received than can be accommodated

between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on June 16, 1994, time will be allocated in

a manner which ensures, to the extent possible, that a range of views

of health care professionals, consumers, product manufacturers, and

pharmaceutical manufacturers are presented. Those who cannot be granted

their requested speaking time because of time constraints are assured

that their written comments will be considered when making a decision

regarding the update for this guideline.

If sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation

for a disability is needed, please contact the Forum by June 1, 1994,

at the address below.

Registration should be made with, and written materials submitted

to: Ms. Lynn McQueen, Program Officer, Office of the Forum for Quality

and Effectiveness in Health Care, Agency for Health Care Policy and

Research, Willco Building, 6000 Executive Blvd, suite 310, Rockville,

Maryland, 20852, Phone: (301) 594-4015, Fax: (301) 594-4027.

For Additional Information

Additional information on the guideline development process is

contained in the AHCPR Program Note, ``Clinical Practice Guideline

Development,'' dated August 1993. This document describes AHCPR's

activities with respect to clinical practice guidelines including the

process and criteria for selecting panels. This document may be

obtained from the AHCPR Publications Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 8547,

Silver Spring, MD 20907; or call Toll-Free: 1-800-358-9295.

Information may also be obtained by contacting Carole Hudgings,

Ph.D., Acting Director, Office of the Forum for Quality and

Effectiveness in Health Care, Agency for Health Care Policy and

Research, Willco Building, 6000 Executive Blvd., Suite 310, Rockville,

MD 20852, Phone 301-594-4015, Fax: 301-594-4027.

Dated: May 5, 1994.

Linda K. Demlo,

Acting Administrator.

[FR Doc. 94-11532 Filed 5-11-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4160-90-P