Ethics question: Is confidentiality still breached if names are not used?

After work, I like to blow off steam by going out and telling people about my day, sometimes loudly.

For example, someone came into the office recently who was quite rude. I was venting to a friend in a nearby cafe, to the effect of 'This guy came who came in today was nuts. He said ________ to my boss and _______."

Now, everything said in the office is supposed to be confidential, but it's not a Secret Service job or anything.

Basically, I am wondering if venting to people who don't work in the office without using names is something I could be reported for, if someone were to overhear. Using first names might not be acceptable, and I can see how using a full name wouldn't be, but is it okay otherwise?

It is a HIPPA violation....this law was started by the Federal Government due to lawsuits from even Doctors talking about patient cases in elevators without disclosing names. The person's daughter figured out it was one of her parents.

How about trying to find a different avenue for getting the stress out? Yoga, hit some golf balls, dancing?

Please, ask yourself....if I vent in public, who might be around that is related to one of the patients/

If it is obvious who you are talking about, then it is not ethical or even confidential.

So long as no one knows who your talking about it should be okay.Just like writing a book based on real life things.So long as the name isn't the same or you don't describe them exactly it's okay.

It's okay to tell general stories as long as you don't use names, especially if you don't clarify, saying, "That's the one I was talking about earlier," when that person shows up. Be careful how much you say though because people could find out. In general, it's okay to tell stories without using names. Balance.

If you told the story to a friend you trusted over the phone, at your home or in a private place, it would probably be OK to vent that way. In a public place, loudly, and using words like "nuts" is likely to get you fired or even into a major slander suit, someday.