ISO 9000:2000 is a specific family of standards which is referred to under this generic title for convenience. This family consist of standards and guidelines relating to quality management systems, and related supporting standards on terminology and specific tools. It has been written in general terms, i.e. it may be applied within manufacturing industries or service organizations in any sector.

For the application of ISO 9000 quality management systems in the health care sector, there is IWA 1:2005 Quality management systems - Guidelines for process improvements in health service organizations, which is available from ISO national member institutes and from ISO Central Secretariat (ISO Sales).

The following excerpt is from the scope of IWA 1:2005:

This International Standard provides guidelines beyond the requirements given in ISO consider both the effectiveness and efficiency of a quality management system, and
potential for improvement of the performance of an organization. When compared to of customer satisfaction and product quality are extended to include the satisfaction of the performance of the organization. This International Standard is applicable to the processes of the organization and consequently management principles on which it is based can be deployed throughout the organization. International Standard is the achievement of ongoing improvement, measured through customers and other interested parties. This International Standard consists of guidance and recommendations and is not intended regulatory or contractual use, nor as a guide to the implementation of ISO 9001.

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For more detailed information on ISO 9000:2000 and it's sector specific guidance documents, for information regarding their content, technical interpretation and guidance on questions of application (certification ISO 9000) in a particular sector, please contact directly your national ISO member body.