What is the main focus of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) in pharmacy?

The main focus of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) in pharmacy is rooted in the systematic approach to enhance the quality of services and processes. This involves understanding and addressing the underlying causes of problems or inefficiencies in pharmacy operations, leading to safer and more effective patient care. Root cause analysis is a critical component of this process, as it helps identify specific issues affecting the quality of pharmaceutical services. By investigating and analyzing these root causes, pharmacies can implement targeted improvements that enhance patient safety, ensure compliance with regulations, and optimize service delivery.

While patient satisfaction surveys, sales improvement, and cost reduction may be important aspects of pharmacy operations and can indirectly relate to quality, they do not encapsulate the core mission of CQI. The primary aim of CQI is to cultivate an environment of continuous enhancement, focusing on the processes that ensure high-quality patient outcomes rather than on peripheral metrics like sales or cost. This focused approach allows pharmacies to maintain high standards of care through ongoing assessment and refinement of their practices.