Quality Improvement Strategies Of Secondary Hospitals in the Philippines: A Basis for Hospital CQI Model

Abstract

This study examined the implementation level, influencing factors, and business profile relationships of Quality Improvement (QI) strategies in secondary hospitals in the Philippines, with the goal of developing a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) model. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the study gathered quantitative data from hospital staff across Department of Health (DOH), government, and private hospitals, and qualitative insights from key informant interviews. Results showed a moderate overall implementation level (Mean = 3.39), with stronger performance in Patient Rights and Education, Infection Control, and Patient Safety, and weaker implementation in Access to Healthcare and Collaborative Integrated Management. A significant relationship was found between the type of hospital accreditation and QI implementation, while hospital ownership and years of operation were not significant. Thematic analysis revealed key enablers such as leadership support, interdisciplinary collaboration, staff development, and digital systems. These findings informed the development of the RPArboleda’s Hospital CQI Model, which integrates Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation Theory to support scalable, sustainable, and context-responsive quality improvement in Philippine secondary hospitals.