An author requested advice about reporting unusual ocular manifestations of a patient who died from a fatal injury. The author sought the permission of the family to report the case, but they also requested that the patient’s name be added to the report in her memory. The author has proposed to add the following in the acknowledgement section: “The authors are grateful to the family of forename/surname for their permission to publish this case report, and at their request, have named the deceased, in memoriam.” What does the committee think?
_ If the deceased patient is identifiable, then there is a breach of confidence, and confidence survives death. _ The family cannot absolve this, but if it is in the public interest, then the name could be provided. _ The editor has to be satisfied that the dead patient would not have objected to any publicity, and that no other person(s) can be hurt or harmed by the publication of her name. _ If these criteria can be satisfied then a redrafted form of words could be published—for example: “The authors are grateful to the family of forename/surname for their cooperation in the publication of this case report, and at their request have identified her as the deceased, as a memorial to her.”