Singap Med J
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To determine the size of the problem of premature discharge in a community hospital (CH) and to ascertain the reasons for it. ⋯ Premature discharge in the CH is an important issue and the greater cause lies in the need to transfer medically unstable patients or patients with unresolved medical problems back to the acute hospital. Stricter enforcement of admission criteria into CHs, increased vigilance on the part of acute hospitals and implementation of subacute care in CH can be solutions to the problem.
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Routine inspection and testing of endotracheal tubes prior to use may fail to detect certain manufacturing defects. We describe a case of endotracheal tube kinking at the junction where the inflation tube for the pilot balloon is attached to the endotracheal tube. This case report highlights the importance of maintaining an awareness that airway obstruction or leak due to structural defects can still occur even with high quality, prepacked single use plastic endotracheal tubes. It also emphasises the need to have a systematic approach when dealing with such critical events.