Data Access - Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS)
SPARCS Release Knowledge Center and Ticketing System
The SPARCS Release Program has implemented a support page for answering questions and streamlining requests. The support page has two components, the Knowledge Center and a ticketing system. The Knowledge Center holds frequently asked questions and articles regarding SPARCS submissions and requests. The ticketing system allows for direct questions to be asked or data requests to be submitted. Requests and questions will no longer be accepted via email. View the SPARCS Release page here. Please note, there is a separate ticketing system for SPARCS compliance.
SPARCS Q&A Hour
If you have questions about how to apply for SPARCS hospital discharge data, the SPARCS governance staff host an open Q&A session on select Wednesdays from 2 PM to 3 PM to assist with application inquiries. Please note that this forum will not cover the following topics: updates on specific application statuses, research assistance, data elements, or questions regarding SPARCS submission. For more details and the complete 2026 schedule click here.
SPARCS Data Access
SPARCS offers three levels of data access: public, limited, and identifiable. Public use data is openly available. Limited or identifiable data requires the submission of an application.
NYS Department of Health employees who wish to receive data access have a separate process. NYS DOH employees should visit the internal SPARCS SharePoint page for more details.
Public Use Files
Public Use Files (PUFs) are de-identified datasets tailored to support policymakers, researchers, and the general public by providing critical data for research, reporting, and analysis free of charge.
The datasets are available in multiple formats on the Department’s open data portal Health Data NY.
Limited and Identifiable Data
Limited data contains indirect identifiers that are deemed identifiable according to HIPAA standards. Limited data requests are reviewed by SPARCS Operations staff.
Identifiable data pertains to a particular individual's facility stay which, if disclosed, would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, as stipulated in Department regulations, Title 10, NYCRR 400.18. Identifiable requests are reviewed by the data review group.
To apply for limited and identifiable data, download and complete the SPARCS Limited and Identifiable Data Request Form (DOH-5132) from the forms page. Form DOH-5132 replaces previous forms DOH-4385 and DOH-4395.
Inpatient data is $700 per year and outpatient is $1500 per year. Identifiable elements, if approved, carry different costs based on the element group. You can consult the SPARCS Data Dictionary for the categories of identifiable data elements and the data elements within those categories to give you a sense of cost. All Article 28 facilities that submit SPARCS data, federal and NY State agencies, and SUNY/CUNY colleges are exempt. Nonprofits receive a 50% discount, and if a student is using the data for a course or curriculum, students may receive an additional 25% discount. To receive this additional student discount, the professor must complete the application for the student.
Data Governance Committee
The Data Governance Committee (DGC) is responsible for reviewing identifiable data requests. For further information:
Data File Transfer System
The SPARCS program uses IBM's Aspera to transmit approved SPARCS extract. For more information on how to download the Aspera plugin:
Data Use Resources
Data Release Notes
- SPARCS Data Release Notes (.xlsx, Updated November 2023)
Output Data Dictionary
- SPARCS Data Dictionary (.xlsx, Updated January 2026)
SAS Read-in Programs
The following are SAS read-in programs for each of the 14 SPARCS tables in the new data layout. The following are SAS read-in programs for inpatient and outpatient files.
