DNV Accreditation: An Alternative to Joint Commission for Hospitals

For decades, Joint Commission accreditation was essentially synonymous with hospital accreditation. Today, U.S. healthcare executives have multiple accreditation options beyond the Joint Commission, including DNV accreditation, each with distinct survey methodologies, standards, and quality-improvement philosophies.

Both the Joint Commission and DNV accreditation bodies hold “deeming authority” from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This status enables both organizations to certify healthcare facilities for Medicare participation. Hospitals should carefully consider the unique approaches of each accrediting body to select the one that best meets their specific priorities and needs.

What is DNV Accreditation?

Det Norske Veritas (DNV) is an internationally accredited registrar and classification organization headquartered in Høvik, Norway. Widely recognized as a global leader in certification across various sectors (including maritime, energy, and healthcare), DNV offers specialized accreditation programs tailored specifically for healthcare providers, including acute care hospitals.

In the healthcare sector, DNV hospital accreditation is designed not only to validate compliance with Medicare Conditions of Participation but also to serve as an organizational foundation for continual quality improvement and patient safety. Central to this approach is DNV’s integration of the internationally recognized ISO 9001 Quality Management System, which enables hospitals to pursue operational excellence and patient-centered care more effectively.

DNV Accreditation Standards and Requirements

DNV accreditation standards are unique due to their incorporation of ISO 9001 guidelines. The organization uses the National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations (NIAHO®) standards, which blend CMS compliance with rigorous quality management principles.

Hospitals considering DNV accreditation should understand that requirements cover both clinical and non-clinical operations, including but not limited to:

• Patient safety and clinical care standards
• Leadership accountability and strategic planning
• Robust quality management systems (aligned with ISO 9001)
• Employee engagement and education in quality improvement
• Continuous improvement processes and outcomes monitoring
• Transparent and thorough adverse-event reporting and analysis

DNV conducts annual onsite surveys to ensure continual compliance and improvement. Accreditation renewal is performed every three years, contingent upon successfully passing each annual survey. The surveys employ Tracer Methodology (tracking patient experiences and processes across departments), staff and patient interviews, and a comprehensive evaluation of hospital operations.

DNV hospital accreditation has three possible accreditation statuses:

• Accredited (fully meets or exceeds requirements)
• Jeopardy Status (significant compliance concerns needing immediate correction)
• Not Accredited (fails to meet requirements)

Surveyors conducting these visits are highly qualified healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, and clinical specialists) who undergo continual professional education and annual training provided by DNV.

Key Features of DNV Hospital Accreditation

DNV hospital accreditation is structured around elements aimed at strengthening ongoing quality improvement and patient safety initiatives. These include:

• Integrated Quality Management:
  Incorporates ISO 9001 quality management standards into the accreditation framework, supporting an organized approach to quality improvement across the entire hospital.
• Collaborative Survey Approach:
  Utilizes surveys that emphasize collaboration, education, and improvement, with surveyors providing guidance and feedback to hospital staff at all levels.
• Employee Engagement:
  Promotes active involvement of hospital staff, from leadership to frontline caregivers, in accreditation activities, with the goal of enhancing organizational commitment to quality and patient safety.
• Annual Compliance Surveys:
  Conducts annual onsite surveys intended to maintain consistent compliance and continuous readiness, supporting proactive quality management practices year-round.

DNV Accreditation vs. Joint Commission Accreditation

Though both DNV and the Joint Commission provide CMS-approved hospital accreditation, they differ significantly:

Hospital leadership should evaluate carefully which accrediting body’s philosophy, survey style, and organizational fit aligns best with their goals, culture, and approach to patient care.

DNV Accredited Hospitals in the United States: A Growing Trend

Since entering the U.S. market in 2008, DNV has rapidly expanded its hospital accreditation presence. According to DNV’s latest figures, the organization accredited its 1,000th U.S. healthcare facility in 2025. This milestone illustrates both the growing credibility and popularity of DNV-accredited hospitals and validates the shift among hospital leaders seeking alternative accreditation paths.

FAQs: What Hospital Leaders Need to Know About DNV Accreditation

What is DNV accreditation?

DNV accreditation is a CMS-approved hospital accreditation program that incorporates ISO 9001 quality management standards, emphasizing patient safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

How often does DNV survey hospitals?

Hospitals undergo annual on-site surveys, with accreditation renewal every three years based on successful evaluations.

Is DNV recognized by CMS/Medicare?

Yes. DNV holds “deeming authority” from CMS, meaning its accreditation certifies hospitals for Medicare compliance and participation.

How is DNV accreditation different from Joint Commission accreditation?

DNV accreditation incorporates ISO 9001 quality management standards, conducts annual surveys with a collaborative approach, and emphasizes continuous quality improvement alongside regulatory compliance. The Joint Commission employs its own established standards, conducts periodic unannounced surveys approximately every three years, and focuses on structured compliance with defined quality and patient safety requirements.

Can any hospital achieve DNV accreditation?

Yes. DNV accreditation is available to hospitals of all sizes and types, including large acute care facilities, small rural hospitals, and critical access hospitals, provided they meet the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Conditions of Participation and DNV’s standards for quality, patient safety, and continuous improvement. Compliance is verified through annual onsite surveys tailored to each hospital’s unique scope of services, size, and operational needs.