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 only change in this version 3.3.0 of the VUT is that the ICD Code table has been updated to include the new COVID-19 ICD Code. The v3.3.0 VUT release continues to support the older specification versions. For additional information please review the MDS VUT ReadMe text file.

The subset of ICD codes used in the PDPM Grouper is included in the VUT and the value entered in I0020B is validated against this list. If the value entered doesn’t map to one of these ICD codes, a fatal edit is issued.    

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.