HIPAA Violation?

[IreneTouTheou]

In my medical workplace, a coworker said that they recently saw one of our former coworkers. We love this former coworker, and I said, before I thought about it, "where did you see (the former coworker's name), did you see them here?" I asked this because our former coworker often visits with former coworkers here, eating in the cafeteria and I guess because it seemed a likely scenario. But as soon as I said it , I thought, oh yikes, that sounds like I'm asking if the former coworker was a patient! So, I said, well, they often visit us (not as a patient), which is why I ask. Anyway, my other coworker told me the reason our former friend was visiting, and I'm left reminded of the need to think before I ask/speak. But did I commit a HIPAA violation?

[RickyRescueRN, BSN, RN]

No you did not commit a HIPPA violation as your co worker was not a patient there; you did not ask what treatment they were undergoing and most importantly , you did not look them up in your EMR which is trackable . 

[IreneTouTheou]

RickyRescueRN said:

No you did not commit a HIPPA violation as your co worker was not a patient there; you did not ask what treatment they were undergoing and most importantly , you did not look them up in your EMR which is trackable . 

Thank you so much for your response!