Health

Maine Biz -  Maine ranks No. 17 in the U.S. for hospital patient safety in a report evaluating how well facilities protect patients from medical errors, accidents, injuries and infections.

Leapfrog Group, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety performance.   In Maine, more than a third of its hospitals earned an A grade.

The five medical facilities ranked the highest are: MaineHealth Medical Center in Biddeford, MaineHealth Midcoast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital in Ellsworth and Northern Light Mercy Hospital in Portland.

Five others earned a B grade: Maine General Medical Center in Augusta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, St. Joseph Hospital of Bangor and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston.

C grades went to Cary Medical Center in Caribou, Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, and Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital in Presque Isle.

Maine garnered no grades lower than C.

Health -   Horizon Organic recalled 3,500+ cases of lowfat chocolate milk due to potentially compromised packaging. The recall affects 8-oz shelf-stable cartons with best-by dates of Aug. 14–15, 2026, sold in four western states. Consumers should not drink the milk and should dispose of it or return it for a refund.