Which statement represents the primary aim of a patient-centered quality improvement program?

The primary aim of a patient-centered quality improvement program is to reduce adverse patient outcomes. This focus aligns with the fundamental goal of healthcare, which is to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to patients. When a quality improvement initiative prioritizes patient safety and outcomes, it seeks to identify and eliminate factors that contribute to harm or negative experiences for patients. This includes addressing issues such as medication errors, infections, and patient satisfaction, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes and quality of care.

While the other options may play important roles in a healthcare setting—such as enhancing operational efficiencies, improving staff morale, or increasing patient throughput—they do not directly address patient outcomes as the primary goal. Operational cost efficiency and throughput are often considered byproducts of effective patient care, but they should not overshadow the essential objective of ensuring that patients receive the best care possible and experience positive results from their healthcare interactions.