The Validation Utility Tool (VUT) is a software utility that can be used to validate MDS 3.0 submission files in XML format. The tool enforces the edits that are mapped to the MDS 3.0 items, as published in the MDS 3.0 Data Specifications. The v3.0.0 VUT release continues to support the older specification versions while adding support for the v3.00 MDS Data Submission Specifications and associated Errata, includes a warning edit to support the time limit change to 2 years for assessment submission, and checks the value entered into item I0020B against the subset of ICD codes used in the PDPM Grouper.

Version 3.1.0 fixes a bug in item S2040 for the state of VA, as well as revisions to edits -3963, -3884 and -3890 per the errata for the final specs. For additional information please review the MDS VUT ReadMe text file.

Please note that there are edits which the VUT cannot support because they are edits against existing ASAP system data. The VUT does not interface with ASAP therefore it cannot confirm those edits. The VUT does not currently interface with the RUG III and IV DLLs, or the new PDPM DLLs, therefore it does not recalculate and confirm that Grouper values are correct.