RAVEN Software

What Kind of Computer Do I Need?

This software requires a Pentium 200 Mhz or better processor with a Microsoft Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, or XP operating system. Sixteen megabytes of RAM are required; 22 megabytes are recommended. A minimum of 40 megabytes of hard disk space is needed for installation. The software is available in two ways; by downloading it from this web site or by CD-ROM.

CMI C05 Utility

The RAVEN utility is now available that enables users to select the new CMI sets for PPS Rural (C05) and Urban (C06) values that impact Nursing Home assessments with a target date of October 1, 2009. The utility is a re-creation of the Grouper Configuration screen within the RAVEN software, except that now, the user may select C05 and C06 for the Medicare and State RUGS calculation. Users should check with their state to determine the proper CMI settings for their RUGS calculation. See the Download Section to download the CMI C05 Utility.

ICD-9 Code Update 10/01/2007

ICD9-2007.zip contains a revised ICD9.MDB database for use in RAVEN, RAVEN- SB, HAVEN and IRVEN. This ICD9.MDB includes the new 2007 ICD-9-CM codes that went into effect on 10/01/2007. The new database will replace the existing ICD9.MDB in the installation directory. Once the new ICD9.MDB has been installed, warning messages will be generated for assessments containing ICD-9-CM codes that are invalid. However, assessments with invalid ICD-9-CM codes can still be completed and submitted.

RAVEN 8.3 PATCH

RAVEN 8.3 will allow an assessment to be validated where W2a is ‘No', W2b is ‘1' AND the A3a or R4 date is between April 1 and September 30.

RAVEN 8.3 also includes fixes completed by the RAVEN 8.2 patch consisting of changes for the dehydration RAP trigger code which will now trigger if an ICD-9 code in I3 is any of the following: 276.5, 276.50, 276.51, and 276.52.

Download the patch from the Downloads Section

RAVEN 8.2 PATCH

The RAVEN 8.2 patch corrects the following RAPS bug:

The dehydration RAP trigger code did not take into account the October 2005 ICD-9 changes to 276.5.  RAVEN has been corrected to trigger the dehydration RAP for 276.5, 276.50, 276.51 and 276.52.

See the RAVEN Release Notes for further information.

NOTE:  Before installing the 8.2 patch, RAVEN 8.1 must already be installed.

Download the patch from the Downloads Section

RAVEN Version 8.1

MDS RAVEN release Version 8.1 is compliant with version 1.30 of the MDS Data Specifications. Section W items have been added to all MDS forms. The National Provider ID (NPI) is entered on the Facility Information screen; the NPI is then prepopulated on all assessments.

Version 8.1 utilizes the new RUGs 5.20 DLL, which supports 34, 44 and 53-group model calculations. Therefore, RAVEN now supports the 34-group model for state RUGs.

The contents of the Facility Information screen have been split into three separate screens: Facility Information, Assessment Information and Grouper Information. The Facility Information screen contains facility and agent variables as well as the NPI. The Assessment Information screen contains the settings for Sections T, U, and V, quarterlies (PPS and partial), and the default SUB_REQ for assessments. The Grouper Information screen displays the active RUG and CMI configurations for Medicare and State calculations. RUG models are now specified as active for a specified date range. Further details can be found in the System Reference Manual.

NOTE: RAVEN Version 8.1 is a required upgrade from Version 7.2

NOTE: Removal of previous versions is NOT recommended before installing Version 8.1 as this would result in the loss of all previously collected data.

Disclaimer

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, CMS and its contractor/distributor make no representations about the suitability, for any purpose or use, of the software and documents. THE SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. ANY WARRANTIES, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED. Recipient shall not, in any event, be entitled to, and CMS or contractor/distributor shall not be liable for indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages of any nature including, without being limited to, loss of use, data, or profit irrespective of the nature of the claim, whether in contract, tort, warranty, or otherwise.

Download the software (RAVEN 8.1 Software) from the Downloads Section

NOTE:

1. Due to the large file size (26MB), downloading is not recommended for users with a dial-up connection
2. Removal of previous versions is NOT recommended
3. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required for RAVEN to print forms

RAVEN Version 8.1 Patch

The RAVEN 8.1 patch is for users who have already installed RAVEN 8.0. The patch corrects the following three bugs identified in RAVEN 8.0: (1) RUG values were not stored correctly for assessments without RAPs; (2) Some combinations of settings in the Assessment Configuration screen were not stored correctly. (3) OM assessments incorrectly reported errors for non-MPAF items even when the MPAF checkbox on the Assessment Configuration screen was unchecked.

DOWNLOAD the instructions from the Downloads Section

Download the software (RAVEN 8.1 Patch) from the Downloads Section

RAVEN Version 7.2--(RAVENv72.ZIP)

MDS RAVEN release Version 7.2 contains two significant enhancements. First, the context-sensitive help for MDS items during data entry has been enhanced to contain the text of the Item-by-Item Guide (Chapter 3) of the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User's Manual (as of June 2004). The new HTML help file name is MDS20Item.chm. Vendors are welcome to use this help file for their own applications. The RAVEN CD contains both Visual Basic and C files with the context IDs used to reference the help topics. In addition, the RAVEN sample program demonstrates how to call the help topics in Visual Basic.

In addition, the error-checking capability from the Import screen has been enhanced so that it can emulate the error checking of the MDS State System. A new checkbox enables RAVEN to suppress error messages for data found in inactive fields. This checkbox also instructs RAVEN to enforce error-checking in accordance with the facility settings, instead of enabling optional variables if data is found in the assessment string. For example, if the checkbox is checked, RAVEN will not enable Section U for an assessment if data is found in the Section U portion of the assessment string; instead, it will process the assessment string in accordance with the 'Include Section U' checkbox on the Maintain Facility Database screen. NOTE: In order for this feature to operate correctly, it is critical that RAVEN's facility settings match the MDS State settings for Sections S, T, U and V, as well as for PPS quarterlies and partial quarterlies.

NOTE: RAVEN Version 7.2 is NOT a required upgrade from Version 7.1, since no MDS Data Specifications have changed.

If you received a CD copy of RAVEN in the mail or requested that you be put on the updated list, you will automatically receive the RAVEN 7.2 production version.

NOTE: Removal of previous versions is NOT recommended before installing Version 7.2 as this would result in the loss of all previously collected data.

Disclaimer

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, CMS and its contractor/distributor make no representations about the suitability, for any purpose or use, of the software and documents. THE SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. ANY WARRANTIES, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED. Recipient shall not, in any event, be entitled to, and CMS or contractor/distributor shall not be liable for indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages of any nature including, without being limited to, loss of use, data, or profit irrespective of the nature of the claim, whether in contract, tort, warranty, or otherwise.

ICD-9 Database Update for RAVEN 7.1

RAVEN uses a database of ICD-9-CM codes for reference in assisting users with the entry of ICD-9-CM codes into MDS assessments. The ICD9MDB2004.ZIP file consists of a new version of this database (ICD9.MDB). The revised ICD9.MDB contains the ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Codes for FY 2004, effective October 1, 2003. After applying this update, users will have the FY 2004 codes available for reference when entering assessments into RAVEN.

For further information regarding the ICD-9-CM changes, please visit the Centers for Disease Control website (see Related Links Outside of CMS).

Installation Instructions:

(1) Download the ICD9MDB2004.ZIP file to a temporary directory (e.g., C:\TEMP)
(2) Extract the file ICD9.MDB from the zip file to the RAVEN installation directory (e.g., RAVEN). If a warning message appears that asks if you want to overwrite the existing ICD9.MDB, answer Yes.

How Can I Get RAVEN?

There are currently two ways to obtain the RAVEN software:

DOWNLOAD...

View the introduction that describes the contents of the RAVEN software (see Downloads below).

Read the instructions on downloading and installation (See Downloads below).

Download the software:

• RAVEN 7.2 software expands to 9 files and is 26 megabytes in size (see Downloads below).

NOTE:

1. Due to the large file size (26MB), downloading is not recommended for users with a dial-up connection
2. Removal of previous versions is NOT recommended
3. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required for RAVEN to print forms

REGISTER ONLINE...

Register to let us send you a free CD containing the RAVEN software. See Frequently Asked Questions about RAVEN software in Related Links Inside CMS below.

Is Technical Support Available?

Yes, The RAVEN Support Desk can help with technical problems and concerns with the software. Please call 1-800-339-9313. You may E-mail requests for assistance to raven_help@ifmc.org