Confidentiality of human immunodeficiency virus status on autopsy reports

The medical profession has long recognized the need to maintain the confidentiality of a patient's medical condition, particularly when stigmatizing conditions, like human immunodeficiency virus infections, are involved. The obligation to maintain confidentiality continues after the death of the patient. At the same time, there may be public health concerns that justify limited disclosure of a deceased person's human immunodeficiency virus status. This report provides guidelines that balance the need for confidentiality with public health concerns when a deceased person infected with the human immunodeficiency virus undergoes an autopsy.