The Mortality Indicator is an additional data element that can be appended to an identifiable data file(s) if
requested and approved by the DGC. The Mortality Indicator connects to the identifiable data file via the
Claim Trans ID. This option provides researchers with an indication of death to facilitate patient outcomes
research. Mortality Indicators further support the SPARCS program in adhering to its minimum use
necessary policy. Applicants must provide a justification explaining why mortality indicators are required
for the proposed project. Mortality indicators identify whether the patient’s disposition is deceased at
7|15|30|180|360 days post admission date and 7|15|30|180|360 days post discharge date. Mortality indicators are created by NYSDOH and are available for data files from 2005 to the present.