What is the primary focus of continuous quality improvement (CQI) in patient safety?

The primary focus of continuous quality improvement (CQI) in patient safety is centered on emphasizing ongoing efforts to improve patient care processes. CQI is a systematic approach that seeks to enhance health care services by identifying areas for improvement, implementing interventions, and evaluating the outcomes. This iterative process ensures that patient care is not only more efficient but also safer, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

Improving patient care processes involves assessing and refining practices to eliminate errors, reduce risks, and increase overall care quality. The goal is to make these improvements sustainable over time, fostering a culture of safety where staff are encouraged to participate in quality initiatives actively.

While enhancing technological capabilities, minimizing regulatory compliance, and implementing new treatment methods are important aspects of healthcare, they do not capture the essence of CQI as it relates specifically to patient safety. Technological enhancements may support improvements, but they are not the primary focus. Similarly, the goal is not to minimize regulatory compliance but to align quality improvement efforts with the standards set to ensure patient safety. Lastly, implementing new treatment methods could be a component of improving care but does not encompass the broader and ongoing nature of the CQI approach to patient safety.