Objective To comprehend the execution status of the 2021 National Healthcare Quality and Safety Improvement Goals (10 goals) in public general hospitals in Chongqing from nursing management perspective, and to provide reference for continuous quality improvement. Methods A self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the nursing departments of 77 secondary and higher-level public general hospitals in Chongqing. Results Of the participants, 73 (94.81%) participated in this initiative and 61 (83.56%) took the lead in reducing the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections. Among core strategies, the highest implementation rate was observed in conducting professional training (94.52%), while establishment and implementation of interdisciplinary cooperation exhibited the lowest rate (28.77%). Factors such as incomplete data provision by information systems and absence of dedicated personnel in charge of this task in nursing departments were identified as primary influencing factors. The incidences of potential safety hazards, including lack of dedicated personnel in charge of this task in nursing departments, lack of timely access to information of goal implementation,lack of instruction from technical experts, and lack of data support from information system, were significantly higher in secondary hospitals compared with tertiary hospitals (all P<0.05). Conclusion The participation rate in the annual goal initiative and the implementation of core strategies need to be further improved in secondary and higher level public general hospitals in Chongqing. Secondary hospitals, in particular, should strengthen the development of relevant regulations and information technology infrastructure, intensify training of healthcare staff, and there by comprehensively enhance medical safety and care quality.