Introduction: Health information managers classify the information of health care and treatment on the basis of classifications system of medical procedures, also they analyz the statistical reports on the basis of this arranged information. Today without an efficient and complete medical classification system, it would seem almost impossible to render health care with acceptable quality. With this system the results of the care process are documented using standard codes. These codes become the basis for data analysis for medical team, researchers, policy makers and planners. Taking into account, the absence of classification system of procedures in Iran, the necessary to create an appropriate model to satisfy coders' needs in urgently felt.

 Methods: This cross sectional comparative study was conducted in the year 2003- 4 to present a compatible model for national medical procedure classification system. The means for collecting data were texts, periodicals, internet and electronic mails. In this research the trend of development, structure, responsible organization, advantages and limitations and also the standards have been used in designing English classification system were studied in order to recommend a national classification system of procedures. Using Delphi system, the recommended model was put into practice in two phases. Eventually after the analyses of test results, a workable model for the national classification of medical procedure was presented. Findings: The results of the study of the classification of medical procedures written in English along with the current national systems were compared Also the final model in five major items, multifamily, expandability without changing main structure of system, more expansion, Persian guideline for coding, necessary modifiers, standardization ability and organizing the chapters on the bases of the type of procedures or interventions are some of the advantages of the recommended model compared with the available medical classification systems.

Results: It seems that the recommended model for the national classification system of medical procedures as compared with the national classification systems in English speaking countries has some similarities to the system of Nordic countries rather than other English systems. Since the national classification system of medical procedures is in its infancy in Iran and the incidence of negligence in some procedures, some codes are predicted for unclassified cases.