discuss whether these hospital observation services are a damaging and unethical practice.

Directions: After reading the following LIRN article in your Module 3 Lecture Notes, please answer the question below.  Your response should be 1 to 2 paragraphs in length.

• Feng, Z., Wright, B., & Mor, V. (2012).  Sharp rise in Medicare enrollees being held in hospitals for observation raises concerns about causes and consequences. Health Affairs, 31(6), 1251-9.  Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1021174889?accountid=141600 

According to the article, hospital observation services can be seen as a halfway point between emergency department treatment and full inpatient admission.  There has been a rising trend in the prevalence and duration of hospital observation services in the fee-for-service Medicare population.  Please discuss whether these hospital observation services are a damaging and unethical practice.