Final answer:
The ICD-9-CM is published in three volumes, providing a comprehensive system for coding diseases and procedures, structured for efficient referencing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ICD-9-CM (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification) is published in three volumes. This classification system is used to code and classify morbidity data from inpatient and outpatient records, including physicians' offices. The three volumes are designed to provide a comprehensive listing of diseases and injuries with their corresponding codes, with Volume 1 covering diseases, Volume 2 including an alphabetic index to disease entries, and Volume 3 containing a list of procedures and their codes. The distribution in multiple volumes allows for greater flexibility and efficiency when referencing the material.