What does the quality improvement (QI) process emphasize?

The quality improvement (QI) process is fundamentally aimed at preventing future errors and enhancing overall patient care. This proactive approach focuses on identifying areas where systems can be improved, thereby minimizing the likelihood of errors occurring in the first place. Through various methodologies, such as Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA), QI initiatives emphasize creating strategies and systems that support best practices, training, and effective communication among healthcare professionals.

This emphasis on prevention helps organizations develop a culture of continuous improvement where the goal is not only to correct existing issues but to implement safeguards and enhance processes that reduce the chance of errors happening again. In this way, the QI process leads to sustained improvements in care delivery and patient safety.