DNV setting new standard. Watch out Joint Commission. There's a new accreditor in town, and some hospitals say they're willing to give it a try.

A new company has entered into the accreditation business, becoming the third organization with Medicare deeming authority for hospitals. DNV Healthcare measures hospitals using the ISO 9001 system, which is widely used in manufacturing. Hospitals that have used ISO 9001 say it works. "They had a way of drilling down to get the information they needed without being confrontational," says Judith Purdy, left, of Hays Medical Center.