[DRGs in surgery from the viewpoint of a clinic]

Because of the significance that documentation has in order for the first DRG budget to be drafted in 2003, priority has to be given in all surgical departments to assuring that codification is of a very high standard. Clinical management and senior surgeons will have to develop strategies which enable them to maintain patient care, a range of services, and efficiency in their surgical departments. Defining and concentrating on core competences and the value chain in surgery will be of increasing importance in their ability to assert themselves in future. The introduction of the DRG system will give new value to the surgeon's role in modern departments and in clinical management.