BUMED, the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery is the headquarters command for the US Navy and overseer of medical services. This includes over 2 1/2 million active duty Navy and Marine Corps personnel, and further retirees and families. Previously medical institutions have achieved registration to ISO 9001 such as "The Cántabro Ophthalmic Institute" in Spain (since July 1999), speculations indicate to be the first ISO 9001 registered of this nature.

BUMED achieves ISO 9001, the first in North America to achieve such credentials. It is an organization with operating expenses compatibly aligned with civilian medical services, whilst providing assistance globally and which includes numerous of other activities based on the nature of their enterprise.

ISO 9001 advances the managerial system to consistently;

• Improve communication and on patient care
• View and improve upon process activities
• Teamwork caring between collaborators, service users and patients

In an era characterized by globalization and knowledge, creative thinking and innovative solutions must be encouraged. And these must be match to our policy and customer needs.