DRGs (Diagnosis Related Groups) is a methodology for classifying patients based on the amount and type of hospital resources needed to treat them. Countries use DRGs or similar classification systems to allocate scarce resources, to determine reimbursement and funding and to measure the quality of care provided by hospitals. DRGs link clinical and financial data, and provide an operational means to define case mix (the range and type of patients a hospital treats). Most developed nations have adopted classification systems as the basis of their payment and quality measurement; many of these methodologies, including DRGs, were developed by 3M. The use of DRGs requires diagnosis and procedure coding, both primary businesses of 3M. This is an example of a language that enables communication across all entities involved in the delivery of healthcare.