Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit organization, recently concluded a study on Hospital Safety. With a focus on quality and affordable healthcare, the group launched the Hospital Safety Score project in June 2012. Hospitals were graded based on “preventable medical errors, injuries, accidents, and infections”. Of the 2618 hospitals studied, 790 received an A, 678 earned a B, 1004 earned a C, 121 earned a D, and 25 received a failing grade. Both Massachusetts and Maine demonstrated exceptional safety results with 83% of Massachusetts hospitals and 80% of Maine hospitals earning an A score.
Consumers are able to check the safety score of their local hospitals at Hospital Safety Score. For a summary of the Leapfrog Group study go to : http://www.leapfroggroup.org/policy_leadership/leapfrog_news/4971031
The Leapfrog Group encourages people who have been hurt by errors or accidents at a healthcare facility to share their stories with ProPublica, an independent organization that investigates patient safety concerns. People who wish to contact ProPublica may call the organizations hotline at (917)512-0241 or visit the online interactive web survey at: http://www.propublica.org/article/patient-harm-questionnaire.
According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Chrysler has announced a recall of 744,822 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs due to a defective airbag control module. A component within the module may fail and cause the front, side curtain air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy during normal operation of the vehicle. “Inadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.” The recall pertains to model years 2002 through 2004.
On Monday, October 22nd, the CDC announced that 3 more people have died from the national meningitis tragedy, bringing the total deaths to 23. There have now been 297 non-fatal cases, and of the approximately 14,000 people who received the contaminated steroid, 12,000 have been contacted.
As many as 119 patients who received epidural steroid injections have developed fungal meningitis. As of October 9, 2012, 11 people have died from the outbreak. According to the Food and Drug Administration, a vial of the steroid called methylprednisolone acetate was found to be contaminated with a fungus. In several of the patients, the meningitis was caused by the fungus aspergillus. New England Compounding Center (NECC) in Framingham, Massachusetts is believed to be the source of the contaminated steroid. NECC has recalled three lots of the drug and is no longer in operation.
Over 20,000 LG and Kenmore Elite gas dryers have been recalled due to a defective gas valve. The dryers fail to shut off when the cycle is complete, posing a burn and fire hazard. The high temperatures on the interior and exterior surface of the dryer can lead to burns, fire and smoke inhalation. Sears and LG Electronics have received 141 complaints from consumers. 3 of the complaints reported burns to hands and arms and 50 complaints reported scorched clothing. 
The Robert Bosch Tool Cooperation announced a voluntary recall of the Skilsaw 10-inch compound miter saw due to a defective safety guard. The lower guard can break and come in contact with the blade, posing a risk of laceration to the user. The product was sold at Lowes Home Centers and OC Tanner Cooperation from January 2012 to April 2012. More than 22,000 of the saws were purchased. The model number of the recalled miter saw is 3316, and has date codes of 111, 112, 201, 203, and 204.
After receiving over 1200 reports of the seat breaking, and 13 incidences of children being injured, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the Troxel Co. of Moscow, Tennessee, announced a voluntary recall of 
The iSi Twist ‘N Sparkle at-home carbonation system has recently been recalled after causing injuries to several consumers. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and iSi of North American, Inc., announced the 
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced on June 19, 2012 a voluntary recall of Bel Air outdoor wall mount lanterns due to fire and safety hazards. The potential for an electrical short circuit in the internal wiring can lead to fire, burn, or electric shock. The company has received seven reports of incidents, two where the lantern caught fire. No injuries have been reported.