Category: MDS

CMS has released version 1.8.0 of the MDS 3.0 VUT, which is a software utility that can be used by MDS software developers 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 specifications. The current release now supports version 1.15.0 of the MDS 3.0 Data Specifications, while continuing to support prior versions for older assessments. In addition, a new command-line parameter, NOSETUP, was added to allow users of listener mode to bypass the VUT UI screen (using the parameters established in VUT.XML).

Please note that there are a few edits that the VUT cannot support, because they are edits against existing Assessment Submission and Processing (ASAP) system data. Since the VUT does not interface with ASAP, it cannot confirm those edits. The VUT also does not currently interface with the Resource Utilization Group (RUG) III and IV DLLs and cannot recalculate and confirm that RUG values are correct.

CMS has released the following drafts from some of the MDS item sets for the October 2016 release:

• a draft of the MDS 3.0 Nursing Home Comprehensive (NC) Version 1.14.0;
• a draft of sections A and GG of the MDS 3.0; and
• a draft of the new MDS 3.0 PPS Part A Discharge (End of Stay) (NPE/SPE) Version 1.14.0.

All may be downloaded from the Downloads section at the bottom of the SNF Quality Reporting Program Measures and Technical Information website. They have not been made available on the MDS Technical Information website, yet.