Strategies to prevent failure of the new paradigm

Despite the hopes, hard work, and research of many in healthcare, the long-term success of the new paradigm of continuous quality improvement (CQI) is far from assured. The authors suggest that the premature demise of CQI in healthcare is a possibility unless certain trends and forces are addressed and altered. Six challenges to the long-term viability of CQI are discussed in this article along with practical strategies to protect the integrity and vitality of the movement.