Medical record keeping in France: the French PMSI system and anaesthesiology

Conclusion For the physician, an understanding of cost-management is indispensable to preserving his independence. The PMSI system, based on medical data, as implemented by physicians, and recognized by the management staff, has demonstrated itself as a useful tool in the discussion between medical and management staffs, and the Health Authority. For anaesthesiology, its use is not only interesting, but an absolute necessity for departmental management. And, all of this is made possible with the help of computers and a medical information department for processing the data.Information systems are important for achieving a balance between cost and quality of care.