What is the definition of continuous quality improvement (CQI)?

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) is defined as an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes through incremental improvements. This approach focuses on continuous, iterative enhancement rather than a singular or isolated change. By adopting a systematic method, CQI encourages organizations to regularly assess and refine their practices to achieve better outcomes, enhance efficiency, and meet stakeholder needs.

This definition emphasizes that CQI is not a temporary measure or limited to specific instances; rather, it is embedded in the organizational culture and processes. It involves collecting data, analyzing performance, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing changes that can be monitored over time to assess their effectiveness.

In contrast, the other options either depict a narrow scope or misrepresent the concept entirely. For example, a one-time initiative would not encapsulate the essence of CQI, which is inherently about sustained improvement. Similarly, limiting CQI to a metric for measuring healthcare efficiency negates its broader application across various contexts and outcomes. Lastly, a strategy solely focused on financial performance does not capture the comprehensive nature of CQI, which also considers quality, patient safety, and overall service delivery improvements.