The ICD is an international standard diagnostic classification used for clinical decision making, health management, and general epidemiology. It is used to classify diseases and other health problems. Each disease or health problem is categorized into a group with similar diseases and then assigned a unique code up to six characters in length. This system can be used to monitor the incidence and prevalence of a disease relative to specific variables or the general health of a specific population. In addition to allowing the retrieval of diagnostic information, these records are used to compile the national mortality and morbidity statistics.