Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiatives in health care are guided by both philosophical and structural elements. Philosophically, CQI is based on the belief that there is always room for improvement, and that quality should be constantly evaluated and refined. It encourages a culture where everyone from leadership to front-line staff is involved in identifying problems and finding solutions (Endalamaw et al., 2024). This mindset focuses on learning from mistakes rather than assigning blame, and always keeps patient care and safety at the center of improvement efforts. Structurally, CQI involves using specific tools and methods to guide the improvement process. This includes setting clear goals, collecting data, analyzing results, and making decisions based on evidence. Teams are often formed to manage initiatives, and they follow structured models like the Deming Cycle to ensure that improvements are planned, tested, evaluated, and adjusted as needed (Endalamaw et al., 2024). These elements are especially important in new initiatives because they provide a strong foundation for success. Without a shared philosophy of continuous improvement and a clear structure to follow, new efforts can become disorganized or fail to meet patient needs. CQI helps teams stay focused, learn from their experiences, and make better decisions throughout the process (O’Donnell, 2023). In health care, the Deming Cycle, Plan, Do, Check (or Study), Act, is widely used because it offers a simple and effective way to test changes and improve over time. It allows teams to try new ideas on a small scale, study the results, and either expand the changes or make adjustments before going further. This reduces risk and helps ensure that improvements lead to better outcomes for patients. Overall, the combination of a strong improvement philosophy and a structured process like the Deming Cycle is key to delivering high-quality, safe, and effective health care (Endalamaw et al., 2024).

Endalamaw, A., Khatri, R. B., Mengistu, T. S., Erku, D., Wolka, E., Zewdie, A., & Assefa, Y. (2024). A scoping review of continuous quality improvement in healthcare system: conceptualization, models and tools, barriers and facilitators, and impact. BMC health services research, 24(1), 487. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10828-0

O’Donnell B, Gupta V. Continuous Quality Improvement. [Updated 2023 Apr 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559239/