International Organization for Standardization

What Is the International Organization for Standardization? 

Started in 1946, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a conglomerate of over 75 national standardization bodies from around the world.  The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), for example, is just one of many ISO members [note that ISO is not technically an acronym.  Rather, it is a derivation of the Greek word iso, which means equal].   

Not only does ISO implement computer, manufacturing, and technology standards, but it also oversees many aspects of the larger health care industry.  This oversight is especially important now that many medical and dental tourism facilities around the globe rely heavily on extremely sophisticated technology and medical equipment.

While ISO is not necessarily a health care accrediting body, it's important that you stick with medical tourism destinations where ISO has representation.  ISO and its member organizations help ensure that hospitals and dental clinics closely adhere to the strict international standards that they put forth.  In this way, you have a much better chance of receiving optimal medical and dental care when you take a health vacation and receive treatment abroad.  To see a complete list of ISO-participating countries, click here.  However, just because a country has ISO representation doesn't necessarily mean that all of its medical facilities do as well.  Be sure to ask the facility whether or not it adheres to ISO standards.