Explanation of changes to PSO Profile form

To: Erica Zielewski

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

From: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, Patient Safety Organizations (PSO) Division

Date: November 24, 2025

Subject: NonSubstantive Change Request – Minor Updates to the PSO Profile Form

This memo requests approval of nonsubstantive changes to an AHRQ collection in response to respondent feedback and recommendations by the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG).

Background

OMB most recently approved the PSO Profile Form as part of Information Collection Request 0935-0143 in July 2025. The PSO Profile Form is designed to collect a minimum level of voluntary data necessary to develop aggregate statistics relating to PSOs, the types of providers they work with, and their general location in the US. The PSO Profile Form is intended to be completed annually by all PSOs that are “AHRQ-listed” during any part of the previous calendar year.

Change 1

During the 2024 data collection period for the PSO Profile Form, a respondent requested to add an additional medical specialty to the answer values for question 4. (For 2024, the respondent was instructed to use the “other” answer value and write in this specialty.) After review by a clinical subject matter expert and AHRQ’s understanding that the suggested answer value is an increasingly popular medical specialty in which additional PSO respondents may also be working, AHRQ believes this new answer value would be a valuable addition to this question at no additional burden for respondents. For those who used the “other” answer value and then wrote in this response, it would likely reduce their time to complete the question slightly.

Change 2

In September 2025, the HHS OIG published an issue brief providing an updated evaluation of the PSO Program. One area of recommendation for AHRQ in this report was to “promote opportunities to involve patients and families in PSO activities.” Specifically, OIG suggested that AHRQ, “consider measuring PSOs’ efforts related to patient and family involvement by asking them in the annual survey of PSO characteristics and activities [the PSO Profile form].” Change 2 is to insert one new question about such involvement in direct response to HHS OIG’s recommendation. AHRQ estimates that responding to this one additional question will not substantively change the overall burden estimate for completion of this form.

Overview of Requested Changes

Change 1

Add “Hospital and Palliative medicine” to the list of answer values for question #4.

Change 2

Add new question: “How often does your PSO engage patient and families in any of its patient safety and quality improvement activities?” and the following answer values: “Never –  Rarely – Sometimes – Often – Always - Don’t Know.”

Time Sensitivities

In order to incorporate these changes into the 2025 PSO Profile Form data collection cycle (from December 2025 through February 2026), AHRQ requests immediate approval.