Data Mapping Utility (DMU)

Introduction

The VA FileMan Data Mapping Utility (DMU) facilitates mapping Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) to other data models. It is comprised of the following components:

• Entities
• Entity Editor
• DDE Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)

Entities

An Entity is simply a collection of data elements, like a class in an object-oriented system. If a specific data model is being followed, that model determines the tag names and allowable values of each element. The Entity acts as a template, assigning each element to a class property and transforming the data as needed to meet any requirements or constraints of the model.

The ENTITY (#1.5) file supports the Data Mapping Utility. It can map VistA data to any data model, including common standards. For example:

• Health Level Seven (HL7)
• Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR)
• InterSystems Summary Document Architecture (SDA)

The Data Mapping Utility uses the ENTITY (#1.5) file to provide a table-driven mechanism for producing XML or JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) output from VistA data.

Reviewed/Updated: May 2026