The overall purpose of the VHA Office of Quality and Performance Survey of Health Experience of Patients (SHEP) Survey Program is to systematically obtain information from patients that can be used to identify problems or complaints that need attention and to improve the quality of health care services delivered to Veterans. Information obtained from the SHEP Program is one component of a larger Network Directors Performance Agreement system in VHA that culminates in the annual Network Performance Report. Results of each of the customer satisfaction surveys are made readily available to VA Central Office (VACO), Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), VHA field staff, and stakeholders as part of the Network Performance Report and via the VA Intranet. Data is used to demonstrate that VA is providing timely, high quality health care services to patients and to measure improvement toward the goal of matching or exceeding the non-VA external benchmark performance.
EO: EO 12862 Name/Subject of EO: Setting Customer Service Standards
The program change is due to the inclusion of VA Forms 10-1465-5 and 10-1465-6, respectively the C&G Patient Centered Medical Home short and long forms. The increase in burden hours is 23,333. However, VHA reduced the amount of SHEP Outpatient Short form surveys(10-1465-4) mailed, such that there will be a net decrease of 25,340 burden hours.
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.