Am J Psychiatry 1987; 144:176-181
Copyright © 1987 by American Psychiatric Association
AIDS antibody tests on inpatient psychiatric units
RL Binder
An antibody test for the causative virus of the acquired immune deficiency
syndrome (AIDS) became commercially available in 1985. The author discusses
the use of the AIDS antibody test on inpatient psychiatric units. She
reviews the controversial legal and ethical questions related to its use,
addressing such questions as Who should be tested for the AIDS antibody?
When and to whom should the results of the test be disclosed? and How
should the doctrine of "right to privacy" be balanced with the "duty to
warn"?
