[Current diagnosis and procedure classification]

Classifications of diagnoses and medical procedures support structurized medical documentation and make it accessible to computerized evaluation. Important figures of performance of in- and outpatient medical care can be derived from these data. Actually the importance of medical classifications increases in Germany because of the decision for introducing a new accounting system for hospitals on the basis of Australian AR-DRGs. The following review describes in detail these medical classifications which are prescribed by law in Germany (ICD-10 respectively ICD-10-SGBV and OP-301 [ICPM]). Some of their most important predecessors are also being referred to and discussed in the context of medical documentation. Some ideas are given about the further development of these medical classifications (e.g. PCS) and the medical documentation, taking into account especially the future DRG situation in hospitals.