CQI is a well-defined quality management process that focuses on community needs and improving population health. It encourages healthcare workers to constantly think about ways to better systems.

The effort includes strategies and techniques that improve healthcare systems' quality of care and safety. The CQI process may include defining a problem, setting goals, benchmarking, and implementing interactive quality improvement projects until outcomes are achieved.

CQI goals can vary, but some common ones include cost reduction, improved appointment wait times, higher patient volume, increased safety and increased patient and/or staff satisfaction.