Under-Represented Minorities and Medical School Admissions: Preference Factors That Influence the Decision to Matriculate

Currently, the need for the recruitment and retention of qualified Under-Represented Minority (URM) students remains a pressing concern for U.S. medical schools. In response to this need, we analyzed admissions data at our medical school to determine which factors may positively or negatively influence the decision of an URM applicant to matriculate at our school, when compared to their White/Asian counterparts. Presented at the AAMC (Association of American Colleges) Annual Meeting, RIME (Research in Medical Education) Program, November 2007

Fatal pulmonary hemorrhage after use of the flow-directed balloon-tipped catheter

The flow-directed balloon-tipped catheter is extensively used in intensive care units, catheterization laboratories, operating rooms, and emergency wards. Major complications associated with its use have not been frequently reported. In a recent 2-year period in four hospitals, we identified five cases of fatal pulmonary hemorrhage resulting from balloon-tipped catheters. We review here four additional cases previously cited in the literature and discuss possible mechanisms and predisposing factors associated with this complication and guidelines for safe use of these catheters. Pulmonary artery rupture is probably commoner than previously reported