Problem: Michelle has two patients with very similar names on her phlebotomy requisition list: Mrs. Elizabeth B. Brown and Mrs. Elizabeth M. Brown. When Michelle entered the room designated for Mrs. Elizabeth B. Brown, she found patient Elizabeth M., at least as indicated by the patient's identification band. Michelle immediately reported the mix-up in patient location to the nurse's station. Mrs. Manley was at the desk and was the nurse in charge of these patients. Mrs. Manley was a good friend of Michelle's. When Michelle told Mrs. Manley of the mix-up in ID or location, Ms. Manley told her not to worry, she would fix the problem, and because no harm has occurred, she did not think that there was any need to report this problem to any other nurse or her supervisor.
- What should Michelle do?
- What problems may have occurred if Michelle had not noticed this error?
- What ethical issues are present?