DNV launches certification program for ambulatory surgery centers

The new project is based on DNV's value-driven healthcare certification concept, focusing on continuous improvement, patient safety, and public health outcomes

Houston, December 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DNV is expanding its highly regarded healthcare accreditation services to the rapidly growing Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) sector.

Ambulatory Surgery Centers, also known as day surgery clinics or outpatient surgical centers, are among the fastest-growing segments in the global healthcare system. They provide a wide range of outpatient surgical services, effectively reducing pressure on hospital systems by handling routine surgical interventions. Many ASCs specialize in specific surgical disciplines, while others offer multi-specialty services. In addition to delivering efficient and cost-effective medical services, ASCs offer patients shorter wait times, faster scheduling, and reduced risk of healthcare-associated infections. For many procedures, the ASC model improves healthcare accessibility and alleviates the growing demand for inpatient beds.

Although ASCs operate in a highly competitive environment that complements the healthcare system, like any medical facility, they must adhere to the highest standards of patient care and safety. This requires a specially designed framework distinct from traditional hospitals to meet their unique regulatory requirements.

Healthcare accreditation serves as an important marker of quality, helping ASCs demonstrate their high standard of care to the public. By opting for DNV's ASC accreditation, centers aiming to enhance competitiveness, expand rapidly, or achieve comprehensive quality assurance can maintain momentum in this dynamically evolving industry.

Since entering the U.S. healthcare market in 2008, DNV has become the fastest-growing and second-largest accrediting body, serving acute care hospitals, critical access hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, and behavioral health hospitals. Its unique collaborative model emphasizes operational consistency, year-round readiness, and staff development. Unlike traditional periodic inspections, DNV's model offers three-year accreditation based on annual quality assessments. This collaborative evaluation helps staff understand which practices work, why they work, and how to drive continuous improvement.

Geir Fuglerud, CEO of DNV's Supply Chain & Product Assurance business, stated: "Ambulatory Surgery Centers are transforming the delivery of healthcare services, not just in the U.S. but globally. As the global demand for accessible, efficient, and high-quality surgical care continues to grow, ASCs play a pivotal role in alleviating pressure on hospital systems and improving patient access. Our value-driven accreditation model is designed to support this development, helping ASCs worldwide deliver safer patient care, improve health outcomes, and meet the expectations of modern healthcare systems."

Alex Imperial, Vice President and Regional Manager of DNV's Supply Chain & Product Assurance business in the Americas, added: "Our NIAHO® hospital accreditation has achieved remarkable success across various hospital types, bringing a more empathetic and value-driven accreditation model to the healthcare sector. We are proud to extend the same spirit of collaboration and continuous improvement to the ASC field."

DNV's ASC accreditation is highly scalable and adaptable. It recognizes the diversity of patient types and ASC models, including centers participating in Medicare or Medicaid, those reimbursed by private insurance, and those operating on a self-pay basis. The program is supported by a range of standards, including ISO 9001, and complemented by DNV's Center of Excellence certification programs for various specialties.

Looking ahead, ASCs can also benefit from DNV's comprehensive suite of specialized certification and training programs, covering areas such as orthopedics and spine care, infection prevention in device management and sterile processing, and more.

DNV will continue to serve as a trusted accreditation partner for healthcare institutions, helping them adapt to emerging trends, meet evolving regulatory requirements, and deliver high-quality care across all areas of the healthcare system.