A new study shows the U.S. added $19.5 billion to its health care bill in 2008 due to avoidable medical errors. Of that amount, $17 billion went toward providing care, including inpatient and outpatient treatment, for the victims of the errors.

The report also lists the most common medical errors. Topping the list is pressure ulcers, which are also the easiest to avoid. The other nine errors include postoperative infections and problems related to devices and prosthetics, among other complications.

To read the full account, click here.

Ask Dr. Silbaugh: ACPE CEO Will Answer Questions About Quality, High Reliability

Do you have a question about your organization or physician leadership in general? ACPE and QuantiaMD are offering an opportunity to speak to an expert about your concerns.

The program, called Ask an Expert, will allow you to email your questions to Barry Silbaugh, MD, MS, FACPE, the CEO of the American College of Physician Executives. Every person who is registered through the QuantiaMD web site will be notified when Silbaugh posts a reply.

Silbaugh will be answering questions on leading physicians and health care organizations to improve quality of care and implementing highly reliable systems.

QuantiaMD is an interactive community of more than 100,000 physicians. Membership is free and registration takes less than 30 seconds.

To learn more or to ask Silbaugh a question, visit QuantiaMD's web site here.

ACPE is changing its traditional education conference schedule in 2011.

The 2011 Winter Conference will be geared toward emerging physician leaders with a weekend version of the foundational Physician in Management Seminar and the Leadership Skills for Medical Staff Officers course.

Other courses traditionally held at the Winter Institute are slated for a new Summer Institute in mid-July in historic Boston.

The Fall Institute will still be held in November but is moving up the road to Scottsdale to address attendees’ desire for more readily-accessible conference locations.

Mark your calendars now and watch for detailed information about specific courses to be offered at ACPE.org/education.

2011 Winter Conference
January 28 – 30, 2011
Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes – Orlando, FL
ACPE.org/Winter

2011 Annual Meeting & Spring Institute
April 8 – 12, 2011
Marriott Rivercenter – San Antonio, TX
ACPE.org/Annual