Ensuring Accuracy in Health Reporting: Kripa Patel’s Role in Advancing Public Health through Data Quality Assurance
New York City, NY – As a Data Quality Assurance Coordinator at the New York City Department of Health, Kripa Patel is at the forefront of improving public health outcomes through data management. Her work primarily focuses on the CDC-led Electronic Case Reporting (eCR) initiative, a high-profile national program that streamlines case reporting for healthcare facilities. Developed in collaboration with the CDC, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, and the Association of Public Health Laboratories, eCR automates case report generation directly from electronic health records (EHRs) to public health agencies. This automation significantly enhances the speed and precision of health responses, particularly in a diverse metropolis like New York City.
“Ensuring that healthcare facilities comply with eCR standards is critical for safeguarding public health,” Patel explains. Her role involves close collaboration with healthcare organizations to validate real-time data transmissions and align them with eCR requirements. As part of this responsibility, Patel performs extensive data analysis and guides facilities through the onboarding and certification process, ensuring seamless integration into the eCR system.
The eCR project represents a considerable advancement in public health infrastructure. By reducing the reporting burden on healthcare providers and enabling more accurate data sharing, it equips public health authorities with the timely information needed to respond to health threats effectively. Patel’s work with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH), one of the largest local health departments in the nation, has positioned her as a key contributor to the project’s success. The department serves an incredibly diverse population, making accurate and swift public health responses essential.
“My day typically begins with analyzing data submissions from various healthcare facilities,” Patel says. “I monitor live data streams using specialized software tools, and if discrepancies arise, I work closely with the organizations to resolve them.” Her role extends beyond data validation, as she also helps healthcare facilities meet compliance standards, a process that requires a keen understanding of both technical requirements and public health protocols.
Prior to her current role, Patel gained hands-on experience as a Case Investigator and Contact Tracer during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this position, she managed over 500 cases and 1,000 patients, coordinating efforts with multiple organizations to track and mitigate the virus’s spread. Reflecting on the experience, she notes, “Working on the frontline during the pandemic was both challenging and rewarding. It required quick decision-making and constant adaptation to rapidly changing information. At the same time, it offered an opportunity to connect individuals with essential resources and contribute to a collective effort against the virus.”
For Patel, who has also earned a Master’s in Public Health and an M.S. in Analytics with a focus on Health Informatics, the path to a career in public health was deeply personal. Born with a Brachial Plexus injury, she was inspired early on to help others in healthcare. “I initially wanted to be a healthcare specialist, but as I learned more, I realized that public health allowed me to impact entire communities,” she shares. Her experiences during the pandemic underscored this commitment, highlighting the importance of data in effective health interventions.
As the eCR initiative continues to evolve, Patel remains committed to ensuring the highest standards of data quality. “Accurate reporting is crucial for timely public health responses,” she emphasizes. Patel’s work embodies the mission of NYC DOHMH to protect and promote the health of New Yorkers by leveraging data to drive decision-making and advance health equity. Her efforts are a testament to the vital role of data quality in building resilient public health systems capable of safeguarding the well-being of diverse communities.
