What is the primary focus of Quality Improvement (QI) in healthcare?

The primary focus of Quality Improvement (QI) in healthcare lies in improving the quality of healthcare delivery and safety. QI initiatives are designed to systematically improve health care services by addressing various aspects of patient care, ensuring that they meet established standards of practice and result in better health outcomes for patients.

This involves analyzing processes within the healthcare system, identifying inefficiencies or areas for improvement, and implementing evidence-based strategies to enhance care delivery. By concentrating on quality and safety, QI not only aims to prevent medical errors and adverse events but also enhances the overall patient experience, fosters better communication among healthcare providers, and ensures that best practices are being followed.

Improving financial performance, while important in a healthcare setting, is typically a consequence of effective quality improvement practices rather than the main focus. Monitoring patient satisfaction is an integral component of quality care, but it serves as one metric among many to assess quality rather than the sole aim of QI efforts. Enhancing employee engagement, although vital for a positive work environment, also plays a supportive role in the broader context of improving healthcare delivery but does not encapsulate the essence of QI itself.