A nurse is developing a quality improvement (QI) program. Which of the following would be the most important aspect of the program that should be considered?

A. Standards used to provide care: Important for guiding practice but don’t reflect the actual outcomes or effectiveness of care. B. Vision and values of the agency: These shape the culture and direction but do not directly assess the quality of care delivered. C. Results of nursing care: The primary goal of QI is to improve outcomes - client health, satisfaction, and safety - which are measured through care results. D. Evaluation of process changes: This is part of the QI cycle, but outcomes are ultimately what define success and are the most important element.