Circuit Breakers Recalled Due to Fire Hazard

Siemens and Murray issued a voluntary recall of circuit breakers yesterday.  About 2.2 million were produced.  The circuit breakers' spring clip can break easily causing the temperature around the device to rise leading to a fire, personal injury or property damage. 

The circuit breakers, meter combos and load centers being recalled are single and double pole 15 to 50 AMP produced by Siemens and Murray.  Catalog numbers and date codes, 0610 or 0710, are printed on a label on the side of the device.  The product was sold at Lowes, The Home Depot amoung other hardware stores. 

If you suffered an injury due to the device, please report it to CPSC.

The issued devices have these date codes and catalog numbers printed on an inside label:

Product	Date Codes	Catalog Numbers
Circuit Breakers	0610, 0710	Q115, Q120, Q130, Q215, Q230, Q250, MP115, MP115U, MP120, MP130, MP215, MP230, MP230U, MP250
Load Centers	Jun 23 2010 – Aug 25 2010	G2020B1100CP, G3030B1100CP, G4040B1200CUSGP, LC4040B1200P, G3040B1200CP, G3040L1200CP, G4040B1200CP, G3030B1150CP, W3040B1200CP, G1624L1125CP, W4040B1200CP
Meter Combo	Jun 23 2010 – Aug 25 2010	JA2040B1200SP

ASR Hip Implant Recalled

DePuy, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson, recalled two DePuy ASR hip replacement systems.  The reason behind the recall is an exceptionally high failure rate leading to patients experiencing pain.  Many of these patients needed revision surgery and a second hip replacement as a result. 

Although the FDA announced the recall in early August, DePuy did not issue a press release until the end of the month.  In the release, they gave detailed information, including that 93,000 devices were sold.  DePuy also suggested patients with their hip implant see a surgeon for evaluation, regardless of if they're experiencing pain or not. 

The DePuy ASR has been on the market since 2005.  Health care professionals have warned the public about the dangers of metal-on-metal hip implants like the ASR.  Such implants can shed metal particles, releasing them into the body and damaging soft tissue.

In the last couple months, a number of lawsuits have been filed against DePuy.

Painful Side Effects Caused by Artimplant Artelon Spacer

The Artimplant Artelon Spacer is a medical device used for people with thumb disabilities.  The product is produced by Artimplant AB and distributed by Small Bone Innovations.  Neither company offers consumers a warning about the multiple reports of painful side effects and other negative, sometimes severe, reactions.

Artimplant Artelon Spacers are surgically implanted into a person’s hand with the intent to relieve arthritis but keep pinch strength intact.  The device itself is made of a mixture of biodegradable and non biodegradable materials.  The biodegradable part works as “scaffolding” in the patient’s hand.  It will take at least six years for the material to completely degrade, meanwhile tissue is supposed to regenerate in the hand. 

However, as is well known among medical professionals, when a foreign object is placed in the body, the body can reject it and react badly to the implanted device.  Many patients have reported serious reactions including loss of motion, swelling and inflammatory synovitis leading to incredible pain.  The Artelon Spacer can also break in the body.  Occasionally, under stress, it has fragmented leaving tiny pieces in the hand, which can cause pain.

The companies behind the Artelon Spacer did minimal investigation and research into the materials used in the device.  In fact, there was just one pilot study, which evaluated only 10 patients.  The study itself was biased, as it was funded by the industry. 

Fun Stuff Recalls Toy Due to Choking Hazard

Fun Stuff Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of the following products:  BoBo Balls (item number FS1814), Klick Klick Balls (item number FS1734) and Click Armband Bracelets (FS1842).  The toys have a small ball at the end which can detach.  Young children could potentially choke on the detached ball. 

The toys feature an armband with balls attached.  They're made of hard plastic and stretchy rubber material with colorful balls (came in purple, blue, green, orange and pink).  The BoBo Balls version included flashing lighted balls.

The product was sold between January 2009 and August 2010 at beach resort stores for $2 to $5.

If your child has one of these toys, immediately take it away.  If your child received an injury from the product, contact CPSC.

The Dangers of Yaz Birth Control

In 2006, Yaz birth control was released.  It is prescribed to be taken orally and daily.  It differs from other birth control pills as it contains drospirenone, a progestin hormone.  Drospirenone increases levels of potassium in the taker's bloodstream.

However, Yaz is linked to many serious side effects including gall bladder disease, stroke, blood clots and heart attack.  The FDA explains, "Yaz has additional risks because it contains the progestin, drospirenone [that] can lead to hyperkalemia in high risk patients, which may result in potentially serious heart and health problems."  The FDA warns women to be aware of not only the risks of this particular birth control but oral contraceptives in general.

Studies have found a link between Yaz and hyperkalemia, a condition where the person has abnormal levels of potassium in the bloodstream.  Such a condition can lead to fatal arrhythmias. 

All oral contraceptives increase a person's risk of heart attack, especially for smokers.  Researchers have also found a link to blood clots and strokes. 

Joseph L. Messa at American AAOS Annual Conference

Founding attorney, Joseph L. Messa, Jr. of Messa & Associates, P.C., recently took part in a symposium at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual conference in New Orleans, La.
The program titled, “Beyond Medical Liability Reform: Keeping Our House in Order,” brought to the attention how the prospect of National tort reform has faded since 2006, and most changes and reforms have progressed on a state-by-state basis. However, there have been important changes in the scrutiny being applied to expert witness testimony on both sides, and controversy continues between physicians who act as experts for Plaintiffs and those who defend physicians.

Messa was one of five lecturers, two attorneys (one Plaintiff and one Defense) and three medical doctors (two orthopedic surgeons and one neurosurgeon), who discussed fair and just ways to protect the rights of the harmed patient and improve the safety of medical care all within the economy of sustainable medicine.
Messa discussed the importance of the Physician’s moral and ethical duty to injured patients when an expert witness is needed in court. He believes that, “there is a peer pressure/stigma of testifying for injured patients against other Doctors that make it difficult for legitimately injured patients to make their claims.”
He adds, “As a citizen and as a professional with special training and experience, the physician has an ethical obligation to assist in the administration of justice […] the public should know they will be protected in the event of injury from substandard care."

For more information regarding the symposium, please contact Tina Lumbis at 1-877 MESSALAW or TLumbis@messalaw.com.

Black & Decker Recalls Sanders

Last Thursday, Black & Decker and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the voluntary recall of Black & Decker Random Orbit Sanders.  The platen, a black plastic disk which holds the sandpaper, can break or fly off during use posing a risk to users and anyone nearby.

There have been 73 reports to Black & Decker of incidents where the platen fell apart or broke.  Fifteen of those reports included injuries and one person suffered a serious facial laceration.

The Random Orbit Sanders being recalled are orange and black with model numbers FS3000ROS, RO400, RO410, RO400G, RO410K and RO410LW.  The date codes fall between 200701 and 200929. Each product features "Black & Decker" printed on it and the model number printed on the label.  Users can find the date code on the underside.

The device was sold across the country for $40 between January 2007 and July 2009.  They were sold at hardware, discount and home center stores as well as other authorized Black & Decker dealers.

Owners of the Black & Decker Random Orbit Sander should immediately stop using the device and contact the company for a replacement piece.  Consumers should also report any injuries to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Jo-Ann Fabric Recalls Roll Up Blinds

In December 2009, craft stores began voluntarily recalling roman shades and roll up blinds.  Jo-Ann Fabric announced they are joining the other stores in the recall. 

The recalled product is Bamboo Roll-up Blinds with Valance.  The blinds could potentially strangle a child.  The lifting loop can detach from the side of the blind allowing a child's neck to become entangled. 

The blinds, 36"x72" and 48"x72", were sold at Jo-Ann Fabric and other craft stores across the country for $25 and $30 respectively.  They were available between April and December 2009.  

Wading Staffs Recalled

Simms Fishing Products have announced the voluntary recall of their Wading Staffs, which can collapse and cause users to fall. 

The Wading Staffs were sold at authorized Simms dealers across the country for $120 between March and June 2010.  The staffs are used to assist fishers wading in streams and rivers.  The wading staff was sold in both a 52” and 56” size.  They’re sterling silver with the item numbers AWS101152 or AWS101156 and UPC numbers 94264-10102 or 94264-10103.  These numbers were located on the product hang tag when purchased.  However, the defective products are easily identified by a silver cable connector.

If you purchased the recalled wading staff from Simms Fishing Products, immediately stop using it and contact Simms.  Please report any injuries to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Fingerstick Devices Could Pose Health Risk

The FDA and CDC recently released information regarding fingerstick devices used by health professionals to get small blood specimens. They’re used primarily to test for hemoglobin, blood glucose and other blood components. Over the past 10 to 15 years, the FDA and CDC noticed an increase in the number of bloodborne infection transmissions. These infections, specifically hepatitis B, were caused by point of care (POC) and fingerstick blood testing devices.

The FDA and CDC have warned the health care industry about this threat. POC and fingerstick blood testing devices should not be used on more than one patient for multiple reasons, including the risk of improper use leading to contaminating the lancet blade. Even if the devices are thoroughly cleaned, it is very hard to remove all the blood. Blood left on the device can lead to bloodborne pathogen transmission between patients.

Healthcare professionals are advised to not use fingerstick or POC devices on more than one patient. In some cases, it is not possible to use a POC on only one patient. In which case, the device should be thoroughly cleaned according to the labeling. Healthcare professions and patients are asked to report side effects or adverse results caused by these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

Sharp LCD TV Recall

Although there has not been a reported injury, Sharp Electronics Corporation is voluntarily recalling their 32 inch LCD TVs. The TV’s stand’s neck can break, which would cause the TV to fall over and possibly injure the consumer.

The TV was sold by a variety of major retailers for around $550 between March and August 2010. The Sharp 32 inch LCD TV’s model number is LC-32SB28UT and can have any of following serial numbers printed on a back label: 0028 32837 through 0028 35190, 0048 57501 through 0048 59020, 0048 61401 through 0048 64020 or 0048 72001 through 0048 78800.

If you purchased a Sharp 32 inch LCD TV, immediately stop using it and contact Sharp for a free replacement piece.

Tygacil, an Intravenous Antibacterial, Poses Higher Mortality Risk

The FDA informed healthcare professionals that the intravenous antibacterial Tygacil (tigecycline) poses a higher mortality risk compared to other drugs used to treat serious infections in a similar manner.

The increased risk was found when clinical trials were analyzed. The exact cause of the deaths was often uncertain, though it was believed to be due to the severe infections worsening. The higher risk of death was most evident, but not limited to, patients treated for pneumonia acquired in the hospital. Other incidents of increased risk include patients treated for skin, diabetic foot and intra-abdominal infections.

Although Tygacil is approved by the FDA for treating community acquired pneumonia, skin structure and complicated skin infections and complicated intra-abdominal infections it is not FDA approved for treating diabetic foot infection or hospital-acquired pneumonia.

The FDA notified healthcare professionals of these high risks through a Dear Health Care Professional letter. They also updated the Adverse Reactions and Warnings and Precautions sections on the Tygacil label.

Slow Cookers, sold at Kohl’s Department Store, Recalled

Bella Kitchen’s 5 quart programmable slow cookers have been recalled. The slow cookers were sold exclusively at Kohl’s Department Store with the model number WJ-5000DE and either date code 0907 or 0909. The devices are black with “Bella Kitchen” on the control panel and the model number and date code on a label underneath the slow cooker.

The panel of the slow cooker can overheat and melt, which creates a risk of fire. There have been 60 reports of the device melting, smoking or sparking and three reported incidents of the device catching fire. To date, there has been damage to countertops but no reported injuries.

Kohl’s Department store sold the slow cookers, distributed by Sensio Inc, between July and December 2009 for $20 to $40. If you have this product, immediately unplug and stop using it. Contact Sensio for a refund.

Cargill Meat Solutions Corp Recalls 8,500 Lbs of Ground Beef

Cargill Meat Solutions Corp—located in Wyalusing, PA—is recalling 8,500 pounds of ground beef because of possible E. coli 026 contamination. As reported by the Food Safety and Inspection Service, this is a Class I recall with a high health risk.

The recalled product is a 42 pound case of “Ground Beef Fine 90/10,” use/freeze by date 7/1/10, establishment number EST 9400 and product code W69032. The beef was eventually repackaged and sold as smaller, consumer sized packages

The ground beef, produced on June 11, was initially distributed to Maryland and Connecticut but was distributed elsewhere since. E. Coli 026 related illnesses have been reported in Main and New York. FSIS has determined the recalled ground beef from Cargill Meat Solutions is directly related to these incidents.

The bacteria E. Coli can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and, in severe cases, kidney failure.