Although it is usually not advisable to ask about sexual history on your preprinted history questionnaire, there are occasions in which such questions are appropriate. Be aware that charts with a documented history of a sexually transmitted disease are handled differently. A special record release is required to transfer these records. The federal and all state governments have medical record laws that pertain to diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis. Check with your state medical societies regarding the privacy laws in your area.
Any discussion involving medical records is incomplete without mentioning confidentiality.
No comprehensive federal law exists to safeguard the confidentiality of personally identifiable health information. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 provides that if Congress does not enact confidentiality standards for medical records by August 1999, the Department of Health and Human Services must establish them through its regulatory authority. Practices should have written policies addressing confidentiality of patient medical records. Proposed documentation guidelines emphasize the necessity for a complete medical history. Think of the medical history as the outside frame of the puzzle.