Tessa had permission to treat the man before she had permission to learn what he had already been given.
He sat at the shelter’s medical table with both hands pressed against his knees, trying to keep them still. His daughter stood beside him holding a folded coat. When Tessa asked about his medication, they named a small tablet by its color and a liquid by the cup it had come in.
The contract clerk stood three paces away with the folder that might contain the answer.
“Clinical records are released through Aegis channels,” he said.
“This is an Aegis shelter,” Tessa answered. “He is sitting at your table. He has asked me to treat him.”
“You’re independent staff.”
“He can consent to sharing his own information.”
“I can’t authorize an exception.”
