Consolidated Financial Statements Notes Other notes 33. Notes on segment reporting 
33. NOTES ON SEGMENT REPORTING
GENERAL
The segment reporting tables shown on pages 114 to 117 of this annual report are an integral part of the Notes.
The Fresenius Group has identified the business segments Fresenius Medical Care, Fresenius Kabi, Fresenius Helios and Fresenius Vamed which corresponds to the internal organizational and reporting structures (Management Approach) at December 31, 2008.
The key data disclosed in conjunction with segment reporting correspond to the key data of the internal reporting system of the Fresenius Group. Internal and external reporting and accounting correspond to each other; the same key data and definitions are used.
Sales and proceeds between the segments are indicative of the actual sales and proceeds agreed with third parties. Administrative services are billed in accordance with service level agreements.
The business segments were identified in accordance with FAS 131 (Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information), which defines the segment reporting requirements in the annual financial statements and interim reports with regard to the operating business, product and service businesses and regions. The business segments of the Fresenius Group are as follows:
Fresenius Medical Care is the world’s leading provider of dialysis products and dialysis care for the life-saving treatment of patients with chronic kidney failure. Fresenius Medical Care treats 184,086 patients in its 2,388 own dialysis clinics.
Fresenius Kabi is Europe’s leading company in the field of infusion therapy and clinical nutrition with subsidiaries and distributors worldwide. Fresenius Kabi’s products are used in hospitals as well as in out-patient medical care to treat critically and chronically ill patients. Fresenius Kabi is also a leading provider of transfusion technology products in Europe.
As of January 1, 2008, Fresenius has reorganized its hospital business. The business segment Fresenius ProServe has been replaced by the two new business segments, Fresenius Helios and Fresenius Vamed, which so far have formed Fresenius ProServe. Fresenius Helios is focused on hospital operations. Fresenius Vamed offers engineering and services for hospitals and other health care facilities.
The segment Corporate/Other mainly comprises the holding functions of Fresenius SE as well as Fresenius Netcare GmbH, which provides services in the field of information technology as well as Fresenius Biotech, which does not fulfill the characteristics of a reportable segment. In addition, the segment Corporate/Other includes intersegment consolidation adjustments as well as special items regarding the acquisition of APP.
Segment reporting by region takes account of geographical factors and the similarity of markets in terms of opportunities and risks. The allocation to a particular region is based on the domicile of the customers.
NOTES ON THE BUSINESS SEGMENTS
The key figures used by the Management Board to assess segment performance, have been selected in such a way that they include all items of income and expenses which fall under the area of responsibility of the business segments. The Management Board is convinced that the most suitable performance indicator is the operating income (EBIT). The Management Board believes that, in addition to the operating income, the figure for earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation/amortization (EBITDA) can also help investors to assess the ability of the Fresenius Group to generate cash flows and to meet its financial obligations. The EBITDA figure is also the basis for assessing Fresenius Group’s compliance with the terms of its credit agreements (e.g. the Fresenius Medical Care 2006 Senior Credit Agreement or the 2008 Senior Credit Agreement).
