The impact of an unknown HIV serostatus on inpatient mortality

Determining HIV serostatus is crucial for linking HIV-infected patients to appropriate care, which might reduce their risk of subsequent morbidity and mortality. A recent South African study demonstrated a potentially harmful association between an unknown HIV serostatus and rehospitalisation. The impact of an unknown HIV status on inpatient mortality has not yet been established in that setting, which formed the impetus for the current study