Not a violation, but was this response appropriate?

[guest1200295]

A fellow employee told me about a patient they knew from their personal life. I believe they knew this patient's situation because they talked to the patient's family, who saw this employee in the hallway (or a similar incidental situation) and gave them the gist. The employee expressed genuine concern for the person and family. I didn't give any info about the patient to this fellow employee, but listened and empathized with their concern, and asked if they would be able to visit the patient. I'm wondering if my asking this was inappropriate -- did it suggest that they should visit the person? Or, could it have meant something ethical, maybe, as in, "would it be appropriate for you to visit"?Anyway, was my asking that inappropriate? 

[JKL33]

No HIPAA violation.

Doesn't sound inappropriate either.

Just make sure you aren't so focused on being empathetic that you could ever appear to be near boundaries. You don't have to listen to every story anyone wants to tell you, and on the part of your coworker this is straight up gossip that s/he was sharing with you. Neither empathy nor etiquette dictates that you have to entertain/listen to that.

There's nothing wrong with saying "oh wow, sorry to hear that" and then either physically keep moving/leave the area or change the subject.