There are currently various concepts related to quality, which have been implemented by many hospitals and other healthcare institutions. The search for continuous improvement, the implementation of a quality culture and hospital accreditation have also been common, in these institutions. However, the history of hospital audits and accreditation is complex and full of dynamic concepts. The American College of Surgeons was pioneer in publishing, more than a century ago, the first document pertaining quality standards. After that, various programs and concepts have been developed and remodeled by distinct entities. In this article, we briefly review the history of quality in the world and Brazil. We also discuss related concepts regarding its assessment in healthcare.