Medical Examiner Public Records?

[Elle23]

I am curious about counties that publish records of deaths which include specific causes of deaths.

I know the people are deceased, but isn't this still a violation of privacy?

I have seen causes such as AIDS, morbid obesity, liver failure RT alcoholism and other very sensitive diagnoses.

I know if I were to die of something like that, I wouldn't want it plastered on the Internet for the world to see.

Does anyone know why counties make this information public? And why it is not considered a violation of privacy to do so?

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

The medical examination records that are available to the public are the cases involving a criminal case. Death certificates are public record just as are birth certificates and your nursing license.

In the US HIPAA covers death records/patient information for 50 years. Other countries are not guided by HIPAA.

[Elle23]

That is interesting. Thanks for the explanation.

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

In my county death records are on a public internet site regardless of criminal status. Many times the cause of death is left blank, but there doesn't seem to be rhyme or reason. I've seen suspected SIDS/SUID, pneumonia, entrapment/suffocation(MVA), "pending", sepsis, gun-shot wound: self-inflicted, respiratory failure . . . Message being. . . Pretty much everything & anything.